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answer by Collins

1) noun, a reply, either spoken or written, as to a question, request, letter, or article
2) noun, a reaction or response in the form of an action
3) noun, a solution, esp of a mathematical problem
4) noun, law a) a party's written reply to his opponent's interrogatories b) (in divorce law) the respondent's written reply to the petition
5) noun, a musical phrase that follows the subject of a fugue, reproducing it a fifth higher or a fourth lower
6) verb, to reply or respond (to) by word or act
7) verb, to reply correctly to; solve or attempt to solve
8) verb, to respond or react (to a stimulus, command, etc)
9) verb, to pay off (a debt, obligation, etc); discharge
10) verb, to meet the requirements (of); be satisfactory (for); serve the purpose (of)
11) verb, to match or correspond (esp in the phrase answer (or answer to) the description)
12) verb, to give a defence or refutation of (a charge) or in (an argument)

Etymology

Old English andswaru an answer; related to Old Frisian ondser, Old Norse andsvar; see swear

Collins English Electronic Dictionary - Digital Edition: 2008 © HarperCollins Publishers 2008

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