riposte
UK[rɪˈpəʊst]US[rɪˈpoʊst]
n
a quick and clever reply, especially to criticism
n
a quick return thrust in fencing
v
to make a quick and clever reply
v
to make a quick return thrust in fencing
Etymology
the word 'riposte' entered english in the early 18th century from the french 'riposter', meaning to retort or answer sharply. the french term itself derives from the italian 'risposta', a noun meaning 'answer', which comes from the verb 'rispondere', meaning 'to respond'. this italian verb traces its lineage back to the latin 'respondēre', formed from 're-' (back) and 'spondēre' (to pledge). the fencing sense developed first in english, directly from the french fencing terminology, where a 'riposte' is a quick thrust after parrying an attack. the figurative sense of a sharp verbal retort followed naturally, mirroring the swift counteraction of the physical move.
Analysis
this word is a loanword from french and is not productively segmented into meaningful morphemes within modern english spelling.
Examples
she delivered a witty riposte that left the audience laughing.
the fencer parried the attack and followed with a lightning-fast riposte.
he was quick to riposte to any challenge of his authority.