answer

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Jump to: navigation, search
Wikipedia-logo.png
Wikipedia has an article on:

Wikipedia

Contents

[edit] English

Most common English words: written « arms « across « #446: answer » early » saying » talk

[edit] Etymology 1

Middle English answere from Old English andswaru from and- "back, against" + swaro, swaru "saying, word". Cf Old English andwyrde "answer", Old English andcwiss "reply".

[edit] Pronunciation

[edit] Noun

Singular
answer

Plural
answers

answer (plural answers)

  1. A response; something said or done in reaction to a statement or question.
    Her answer to his proposal was a slap in the face.
  2. A solution to a problem.
    There is no simple answer to curbing corruption.
  3. Reply to an email. (reply)
  4. (law) A document filed in response to a complaint, responding to each point raised in the complaint and raising counterpoints.
[edit] Derived terms
[edit] Translations

[edit] See also

[edit] Etymology 2

Old English andswarian

[edit] Verb

Infinitive
to answer

Third person singular
answers

Simple past
answered

Past participle
answered

Present participle
answering

to answer (third-person singular simple present answers, present participle answering, simple past and past participle answered)

  1. To make a reply or response to.
    He answered the question.
  2. To respond to a call by someone at a door or telephone, or other similar piece of equipment.
    She answered the door.
  3. To suit a need or purpose satisfactorily.
    It answers the need.
    • 1903: Samuel Butler, The Way of All Flesh, Ch. 41
      Theobald spoke as if watches had half-a-dozen purposes besides time-keeping, but he could hardly open his mouth without using one or other of his tags, and "answering every purpose" was one of them.
  4. (law) To file a document in response to a complaint.
[edit] Derived terms
[edit] Translations
The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables, removing any numbers. Numbers do not necessarily match those in definitions. See instructions at Help:How to check translations.

[edit] See also