answering

an·swer  (nsr)

n.

1.

a. A spoken or written reply, as to a question.

b. A correct reply.

2.

a. A solution, as to a problem.

b. A correct solution.

3. An act in retaliation or response: Our only possible answer was to sue.

4. Something markedly similar to another of the same class: cable TV's answer to the commercial networks' sportscasts.

5. Law A defendant's defense against charges.

v. an·swered, an·swer·ing, an·swers

v.intr.

1. To speak, write, or act as a return, as to a question.

2. To be liable or accountable: You must answer for your actions.

3. To serve the purpose; suffice: "Often I do use three words where one would answer" (Mark Twain).

4. To correspond; match: I found a dog answering to that description.

v.tr.

1. To speak, write, or act as a return to; respond to.

2. To respond correctly to.

3. To fulfill the demands or needs of; serve: "My fortune has answered my desires" (Isaak Walton).

4. To conform or correspond to: The suspect answers the description given by the police.

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[Middle English answere, from Old English andswaru; see swer- in Indo-European roots.]

Synonyms: answer, respond, reply, retort¹
These verbs relate to action taken in return to a stimulus. Answer, respond, and reply, the most general, all mean to speak, write, or act in response: Please answer my question. Did you expect the President to respond personally to your letter? The opposing team scored three runs; the home team replied with two of their own.
Respond also denotes a reaction, either voluntary (A bystander responded to the victim's need for help) or involuntary (She responded in spite of herself to the antics of the puppy). To retort is to answer verbally in a quick, caustic, or witty manner: She won the debate by retorting sharply to her opponent's questions. See Also Synonyms at satisfy.

Thesaurus

Adj.

1.

answering - replying; "an answering glance"; "an answering smile" respondent responsive - readily reacting or replying to people or events or stimuli; showing emotion; "children are often the quickest and most responsive members of the audience"