Main Entry: ¹re·turn

Pronunciation: \ri-ˈtərn\

Function: verb

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French returner, from re- + turner, tourner to turn — more at turn

Date: 14th century

intransitive verb 1 a : to go back or come back again <return home> b : to go back in thought, practice, or condition : revert
2 : to pass back to an earlier possessor
3 : reply, retorttransitive verb 1 a : to give (as an official account) to a superior b British : to elect (a candidate) as attested by official report or returns c : to bring back (as a writ or verdict) to an office or tribunal
2 a : to bring, send, or put back to a former or proper place b : to restore to a former or to a normal state
3 a : to send back : visit —usually used with on or upon b obsolete : retort
4 : to bring in (as profit) : yield
5 a : to give or perform in return : repay <return a compliment>; also : to respond to in kind <returned his calls> b : to give back to the owner c : reflect <return an echo>
6 : to cause (as a wall) to continue in a different direction (as at a right angle)
7 : to lead (a specified suit or specified card of a suit) in response to a partner's earlier lead
8 a : to hit back (a ball or shuttlecock) b : to run with (a football) after a change of possession (as by a punt or a fumble)

synonyms see reciprocate

— re·turn·er noun