riposte

Meanings

Noun

• a thrust given in return after parrying an attack.
• a counter-attack in any combat or any sport
• a quick and usually witty response to a taunt, a retort
• an answer or reply, rapidly uttered, in response to a question or problem

Verb

• to attempt to hit an opponent after parrying an attack.
• to respond quickly; particularly if the response is humorous.

Origin

• From French riposte, taken from Italian risposta, a derivative of the verb rispondere, "to respond".