Word means "reply quickly"

lhhai · #1 Jan 22, 2006, 07:35 PM

I remember that I have read and look up in dictionary a word which describe an ability or characteristic of a person (maybe a little child) who are able to reply (in communication) very quickly and clever.

I read that word long time ago and now I need it. However, i cannot remember it and I cannot look it up in the dictionary.

If you know that word (it's a single word), help me.

Thank you in advance.

Ly Hoang Hai

RickJ · Jan 23, 2006, 03:37 AM

I think "intuitive" fits.

Here is the thesaurus entry for it:
http://thesaurus.reference.com/search?q=intuitive

Does that fit in what you're writing?

NeedKarma · Jan 23, 2006, 03:47 AM

Maybe it's "promptly"?

RickJ · Jan 23, 2006, 03:53 AM

Promptly does address the timing, where Intuitive does not.

I can't find just one word meaning "quickly reply cleverly" - but think a person who is intuitive has the ability to to do so.

Can you give the sentence where you would like to use the word?

colbtech · Jan 23, 2006, 04:44 AM

Maybe "riposte" or "retort". Not the sort of word I'd associate with a child. But who knows!

lhhai · Jan 23, 2006, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rickj

Promptly does address the timing, where Intuitive does not.

I can't find just one word meaning "quickly reply cleverly" - but think a person who is intuitive has the ability to to do so.

Can you give the sentence where you would like to use the word?

This is the context:
"I want to describe a little child at the age of 9 years old. She's quite talkative and clever. Whenever her friends tease her, she always figure out (spontaneously) a way to response and to make them angry. When she makes mistakes and her mother claims at her, she always finds a away to explain and to make her mom feel happy."

I want a word which describes that ability of the girl. I'm sure that I have read that word in the past, but I can not remember it now.
I think "intuitive" is good. However, in my opinion, it is about problem-solving ability rather than communication ability.
Can anyone suggest me another word ?

RickJ · Jan 23, 2006, 06:00 AM

Intuitive is perfect for describing problem-solving ability, but does not address how quickly.

"Retort" is very close:
http://thesaurus.reference.com/search?q=retort

...but if it were me, I'd use "she gives a clever retort", as Retort by itself does not necessarily mean clever.

...so we've got it down to 2 words now: "clever retort". Can that work for you?

lhhai · Jan 23, 2006, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rickj

Intuitive is perfect for describing problem-solving ability, but does not address how quickly.

"Retort" is very close:
http://thesaurus.reference.com/search?q=retort

...but if it were me, I'd use "she gives a clever retort", as Retort by itself does not necessarily mean clever.

...so we've got it down to 2 words now: "clever retort". Can that work for you?

I'm sorry but "Retort" describe an action rather than an ability.
However, thanks for your fast response.

Ly Hoang Hai

teach350 · Jan 24, 2006, 02:19 PM

From your description of the childs actions it sounds like the word "coniving"

teach350 · Jan 24, 2006, 02:29 PM

sorry spelled conniving and another word is manipulative



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