Word: retort
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Dates: during 1870-1879
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...fear of jesting at his expense. But it is the power which it gives one to turn the laugh upon the attacking party, to parry the pointed allusion and to return one equally or more forcible, the facility with which it enables us to flash back a repartee or retort, that especially recommends, instead of condemns, roughing. My intention is not to defend it in all its forms, but only as it bears in this one direction. He who adopts a profession which is likely to lead him to address public meetings, or may place him in the legislative halls...