Main Entry:

²answer

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

an·swered; an·swer·ing \ˈan(t)s-riŋ, ˈan(t)-sə-\

Date:

before 12th century

intransitive verb1: to speak or write in reply2 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 verb1 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>4obsolete : to atone for5: to act in response to <answered the call to arms>6: to offer a solution for ; especially : solve <answer a riddle>

— an·swer·er \ˈan(t)-sər-ər\ noun