noun
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a sharp, witty, or aphoristic remark made as a reply
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terse rapid conversation consisting of such remarks
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skill in making sharp witty replies or conversation
Etymology
Origin of repartee
1635–45; < French repartie retort, noun use of feminine past participle of repartir, Middle French, equivalent to re- re- + partir to part
Explanation
Late night talk show hosts are known for being experts at repartee, or clever conversation, with their celebrity guests. Repartee comes from the French word repartire, which is a fencing term meaning "an answering thrust with a sword." When you are engaging in repartee, you don't literally stab someone, but you come back with a quick verbal blow. Most of us aren't as quick as we'd like to be. Mark Twain defined repartee as, "something we think of 24 hours too late."
Vocabulary lists containing repartee
Jane Eyre
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Song of Myself
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Here to Stay
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
I also consulted the book "Viva La Repartee" by Mardy Grothe.
From Seattle Times • Jul. 11, 2011
Every sudden Repartee, in a publick Treaty, leaves with them an Impression of a light inconsiderate Mind; but, in private Conversation, they use, and are delighted with brisk witty Answers, as we can be.
From The History of the Five Indian Nations of Canada Part I, Part II by Colden, Cadwallader
Repartee has always been a characteristic gift of the American people, due no doubt to a political system that turns almost every community into a debating society at least once a year, and sometimes oftener.
From From Pillar to Post Leaves from a Lecturer's Note-Book by Bangs, John Kendrick
No mere platitudes or banalities for the author of “Lady Windermere’s Fan,” who made a god of the spirit of Epigram and almost canonized the art of Repartee.
From The Trial of Oscar Wilde From the Shorthand Reports by Anonymous
Repartee, rep-ar-tē′, n. a smart, ready, and witty reply.—v.i. to make witty replies.
From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R) by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
