answer

answer
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 that is a counterpart or equivalent of another, often as the result of imitation [Japan's answer to Sherlock Holmes]
4. a solution to a problem
5. Law a written pleading by which the defendant replies to the plaintiff's charges; defense
6. Music in a fugue, the second or fourth restatement of the subject in another voice and transposed to another key, usually at the interval of a fourth or fifth
vi.
1. to reply in words, by an action, etc.
2. to react to a stimulus; respond (to) [the horse answered to its rider's touch]
3. to serve the purpose; be sufficient
4. to be responsible or liable (to a person for an action, accusation, etc.)
5. to be in conformity; correspond (to) [he answers to the description]
vt.
1.
a) to reply to in words, by an action, etc.
b) to say or write in reply
2. to respond to the signal of (a telephone, doorbell, etc.)
3. to fulfill satisfactorily; comply with; be sufficient for; serve [the makeshift tent answered their purpose]
4. to defend oneself against (an accusation, criticism, etc.); refute
5. to agree with; conform to; suit [he answers the description]
6. Obs. to atone for
——————
answer back
Informal to reply forcefully, rudely, or impertinently; talk back
SYN.- ANSWER implies a saying, writing, or acting in return, as required by the situation or by courtesy [to answer a letter, the phone, etc. ]; RESPOND implies an appropriate reaction made voluntarily or spontaneously to that which serves as a stimulus [to respond to an appeal ]; REPLY in its strictest application refers to an answer that satisfies in detail the question asked; RETORT1 suggests a reply, esp. one that is sharp or witty, provoked by a charge or criticism; REJOIN2 implies an answer, originally to a reply, now often to an objection
-ANT. QUESTION, ASK, INQUIRE

English World dictionary. . 2014.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?
Synonyms:

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 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

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”