riposte
or ri·post
[ ri-pohst ]
/ rɪˈpoʊst /
noun
a quick, sharp return in speech or action; counterstroke: a brilliant riposte to an insult.
Fencing. a quick thrust given after parrying a lunge.
verb (used without object), ri·post·ed, ri·post·ing.
to make a riposte.
to reply or retaliate.
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WHO SAID IT: A QUIZ ON PRESIDENTIAL WIT AND WISDOM
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Question 1 of 9
“I do believe that the buck stops here, that I cannot rely upon public opinion polls to tell me what is right. I do believe that right makes might and that if I am wrong, 10 angels swearing I was right would make no difference.”
Origin of riposte
1700–10; <French, variant of risposte prompt answer <Italian risposta, noun use of feminine past participle of rispondere to answer <Vulgar Latin *respondere for Latin respondēre;see respond
Words nearby riposte
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for riposte
British Dictionary definitions for riposte
riposte
ripost
/ (rɪˈpɒst, rɪˈpəʊst) /
noun
a swift sharp reply in speech or action
fencing a counterattack made immediately after a successful parry
verb
(intr) to make a riposte
Word Origin for riposte
C18: from French, from Italian risposta, from rispondere to reply, respond
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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