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 verb1 a: to go back or come back again <return home> b: to go back in thought, practice, or condition : revert2: to pass back to an earlier possessor3: reply, retorttransitive verb1 a: to give (as an official account) to a superior bBritish : to elect (a candidate) as attested by official report or returns c: to bring back (as a writ or verdict) to an office or tribunal2 a: to bring, send, or put back to a former or proper place b: to restore to a former or to a normal state3 a: to send back : visit —usually used with on or upon bobsolete : retort4: to bring in (as profit) : yield5 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 lead8 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