RETORTION

Re‐tor″tion (?), n. [[Cf. F. rétorsion. See Retort, v. t.]] 1. 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. 2. (Law) Retaliation. Wharton.