Thesaurus: reply

Related headwords

Definitions

1. v. i. To make a return in words or writing; to respond; to answer.
2. v. i. To answer a defendant's plea.
3. v. i. Figuratively, to do something in return for something done; as, to reply to a signal; to reply to the fire of a battery.
4. v. t. To return for an answer.
5. v. i. That which is said, written, or done in answer to what is said, written, or done by another; an answer; a response.
6. n. a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
7. n. the speech act of continuing a conversational exchange
8. v. react verbally
9. 1. To make a return in words or writing; to respond; to answer. O man, who art thou that repliest against God Rom. ix. 20. 2. (Law) To answer a defendant's plea. 3. Figuratively, to do something in return for something done; as, to reply to a signal; to reply to the fire of a battery. Syn. -- To answer; respond; rejoin. To return for an answer. Milton. Lords, vouchsafe To give me hearing what I shall reply. Shak. That which is said, written, or done in answer to what is said, written, or done by another; an answer; a response. Syn. -- Answer; rejoinder; response. -- Reply, Rejoinder, Answer. A reply is a distinct response to a formal question or attack in speech or writing. A rejoinder is a second reply (a reply to a reply) in a protracted discussion or controversy. The word answer is used in two senses, namely (1), in the most general sense of a mere response; as, the answer to a question; or (2), in the sense of a decisive and satisfactory confutation of an adversary's argument, as when we speak of a triumphant answer to the speech or accusations of an opponent. Here the noun corresponds to a frequent use of the verb, as when we say. "This will answer (i.e., fully meet) the end in view;" "It answers the purpose."
10. n:21/v:79 n. the speech act of continuing a conversational exchange