answer
- answer
-
I. noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English andswaru (akin to Old Norse andsvar answer); akin to Old English and- against, swerian to swear — more at ante-
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. something spoken or written in reply to a question
b. a correct response <
knows the answer
>
2. a reply to a legal charge or suit ; plea; also defense
3. something done in response or reaction <his only answer was to walk out
>
4. a solution of a problem <more money is not the answer
>
5. one that imitates, matches, or corresponds to another <television's answer to the news magazines
>
Synonyms:
answer, response, reply, rejoinder, retort mean something spoken, written, or done in return. answer implies the satisfying of a question, demand, call, or need <had answers to all their questions
>. response may imply a quick or spontaneous reaction to a person or thing that serves as a stimulus <a response to the call for recruits
>. reply often suggests a thorough response to all issues, points, or questions raised <a point-by-point reply to the accusation
>. rejoinder can be a response to a reply or to an objection <a salesman with a quick rejoinder to every argument
>. retort implies a reaction to an implicit or explicit charge, criticism, or attack which contains a countercharge or counterattack <she made a cutting retort to her critics
>.
II. verb
(answered; answering)
Date: before 12th century
intransitive verb
1. to speak or write in reply
2.
a. to be or make oneself responsible or accountable <answer for a debt
>
b. to make amends ; atone <must answer for his crimes
>
3. to be in conformity or correspondence <answered to the description
>
4. to act in response to an action performed elsewhere or by another <the home team scored first but the visitors answered quickly
>
5. to be adequate ; serve <an old bucket answered for a sink
>
transitive verb
1.
a. to speak or write in reply to <answer a question
> <answer me
>
b. to say or write by way of reply <answer yes or no
>
2. to reply to in rebuttal, justification, or explanation <answer an accusation
>
3.
a. to correspond to <answers the description
>
b. to be adequate or usable for ; fulfill <answer a need
>
4. obsolete to atone for
5. to act in response to <answered the call to arms
>
6. to offer a solution for; especially solve <answer a riddle
>
• answerer noun
New Collegiate Dictionary.
2001.
:
Look at other dictionaries:
answer — an·swer 1 n 1: the defendant s written response to the plaintiff s complaint in a civil suit in which he or she may deny any of plaintiff s allegations, offer any defenses, and make any counterclaims against the plaintiff, cross claims against… … Law dictionary
answer — n reply, response, rejoinder, retort (see under ANSWER vb 1) Analogous words: defense, vindication, justification (see corresponding verbs at MAINTAIN): refutation, rebuttal (see corresponding verbs at DISPROVE) Contrasted words: question, query … New Dictionary of Synonyms
answer to — 1. To give an indication of accepting as one s name 2. To have as one s name (informal) 3. To be accountable to • • • Main Entry: ↑answer * * * answer to (the name of) often humorous be called … Useful english dictionary
Answer — An swer ([a^]n s[ e]r), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Answered} ([a^]n s[ e]rd); p. pr. & vb. n. {Answering}.] [OE. andswerien, AS. andswerian, andswarian, to answer, fr. andswaru, n., answer. See {Answer}, n.] 1. To speak in defense against; to reply to… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
answer — [an′sər, än′sər] n. [ME andsware < OE andswaru < and , against + swerian, SWEAR] 1. something said or written in return to a question, argument, letter, etc. 2. any act in response or retaliation [his answer was a well aimed blow] 3. one… … English World dictionary
Answer — An swer, v. i. 1. To speak or write by way of return (originally, to a charge), or in reply; to make response. [1913 Webster] There was no voice, nor any that answered. 1 Kings xviii. 26. [1913 Webster] 2. To make a satisfactory response or… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Answer — An swer, n. [OE. andsware, AS. andswaru; and against + swerian to swear. [root]177, 196. See {Anti }, and {Swear}, and cf. 1st {un }.] 1. A reply to a charge; a defense. [1913 Webster] At my first answer no man stood with me. 2 Tim. iv. 16. [1913 … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Answer Me — is a popular song, originally written (with German lyrics, under the title Mutterlein ) by Gerhard Winkler and Fred Rauch. The English lyrics were written by Carl Sigman in 1952. After the song was recorded by David Whitfield and Frankie Laine in … Wikipedia
Answer — Pour l’article homonyme, voir The Answer. Answer est un film américain indépendant réalisé par Spike Lee en 1980. Fiche technique Réalisation : Spike Lee Pays … Wikipédia en Français
answer to — a person or thing regarded as the equivalent to a better known one from another place: → answer answer to be responsible or report to. → answer … English new terms dictionary
answer — [n] reply; reaction acknowledgment, antiphon, backcap*, back talk, band aid*, close, comeback, comment, cooler*, counterclaim, crack, defense, disclosure, echo, elucidation, explanation, feedback, guff*, interpretation, justification, key, lip*,… … New thesaurus
