What is "retortion"

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.

1590s, from Medieval Latin retortionem (nominative retortio), noun of action from past participle stem of Latin retorquere (see retort (v.)).

n. retorsion