Rejoinder

/rɪˈdʒɔɪndər/ noun

Definition

A sharp or witty reply, especially one that counters a previous statement or argument. In legal contexts, it's a defendant's response to a plaintiff's reply, representing a further stage in argumentative exchange.

Etymology

From Old French rejoindre, meaning 'to join again,' composed of re- (again) + joindre (to join). The term suggests re-entering or re-joining a conversation or debate with a response.

Kelly Says

A rejoinder literally means 'joining again' – it's your ticket back into an argumentative conversation! Unlike a simple reply, a rejoinder specifically re-engages with points already made, keeping the intellectual combat alive.

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