In fencing, a quick attack made in response to an opponent's riposte, or more generally, a sharp verbal retort made in response to someone else's clever comeback.
From counter- + riposte. Riposte comes from French riposte, originally meaning a quick thrust back in fencing. The term evolved from Italian riposta meaning 'response.' This borrowed fencing term entered English in the 18th century.
A counterriposte in conversation is the ultimate 'got you back' moment—it means you had such a good comeback that your opponent couldn't even land it, so you hit them again. Fencing terms secretly rule witty argument.
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