\Re*tor"tion\, n. [Cf. F. r['e]torsion. See {Retort},
v. t.]
1. Act of retorting or throwing back; reflection or turning
   back. [Written also {retorsion}.]

         It was, however, necessary to possess some single
         term expressive of this intellectual retortion.
                                               --Sir W.
                                               Hamilton.

2. (Law) Retaliation. --Wharton.