A quick counterattack in fencing made immediately after successfully parrying an opponent's attack. It can also refer to any swift retaliatory action in combat sports.
From French 'riposte,' derived from Italian 'risposta' meaning 'response' or 'reply.' Originally a military term for a counter-thrust, it entered fencing terminology in the 17th century as the sport formalized.
The riposte embodies fencing's chess-like strategy compressed into milliseconds—it requires perfect timing, distance judgment, and the mental composure to attack while your opponent is still recovering from their failed assault. Master fencers can execute ripostes so quickly they appear simultaneous with the parry!
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