Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Retortion \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.