repartee

Repartee (rp3r-t), n.

Etymology: [F. repartie, fr. repartir to reply, depart again; pref. re- re- partir to part, depart. See Part.]

A smart, ready, and witty reply. Cupid was as bad as he; Hear but the youngster's repartee. Prior.

Syn. -- Retort; reply. See Retort.

1 other Webster entry under this spelling

Repartee, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Reparteed (-td); p. pr. & vb. n. Reparteeing.]

To make smart and witty replies. [R.] Prior.

Shades of meaning

Fernald has no entry of its own for repartee; he lists it under answer.

Where he writes about it:

Repartee is a prompt, witty, and commonly good-natured answer to some argument or attack; a retort may also be witty, but is severe and may be even savage in its intensity. — from answer

Synonyms

answer rejoinder reply response retort

Antonyms

none given

etymology Webster’s online