Etymology: (bef. 900; ME andswerien, OE andswerian, andswarian, der. of andswaru an answer =and- opposite, facing (cf. and , along ) + Gmc *swarō, der. of swear)
Definition of 'Answer'
Princeton's WordNet
1. (noun)answer, reply, response a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation "I waited several days for his answer"; "he wrote replies to several of his critics"
2. (noun)solution, answer, result, resolution, solvent a statement that solves a problem or explains how to solve the problem "they were trying to find a peaceful solution"; "the answers were in the back of the book"; "he computed the result to four decimal places"
3. (noun)answer the speech act of replying to a question
4. (noun)answer the principal pleading by the defendant in response to plaintiff's complaint; in criminal law it consists of the defendant's plea of `guilty' or `not guilty' (or nolo contendere); in civil law it must contain denials of all allegations in the plaintiff's complaint that the defendant hopes to controvert and it can contain affirmative defenses or counterclaims
5. (verb)answer a nonverbal reaction "his answer to any problem was to get drunk"; "their answer was to sue me"
6. (verb)answer, reply, respond react verbally "She didn't want to answer"; "answer the question"; "We answered that we would accept the invitation"
7. (verb)answer respond to a signal "answer the door"; "answer the telephone"
8. (verb)answer give the correct answer or solution to "answer a question"; "answer the riddle"
9. (verb)answer, resolve understand the meaning of "The question concerning the meaning of life cannot be answered"
10. (verb)answer give a defence or refutation of (a charge) or in (an argument) "The defendant answered to all the charges of the prosecution"
11. (verb)answer be liable or accountable "She must answer for her actions"
12. (verb)suffice, do, answer, serve be sufficient; be adequate, either in quality or quantity "A few words would answer"; "This car suits my purpose well"; "Will $100 do?"; "A 'B' grade doesn't suffice to get me into medical school"; "Nothing else will serve"
13. (verb)answer match or correspond "The drawing of the suspect answers to the description the victim gave"
14. (verb)answer be satisfactory for; meet the requirements of or serve the purpose of "This may answer her needs"
15. (verb)answer react to a stimulus or command "The steering of my new car answers to the slightest touch"
1. (noun)answer another one a reply or response an answer to my letter; Give me your answer tomorrow.; I rang the doorbell, but there was no answer.
2. answer a solution to a test question the right/wrong answer; to know the answer
3. answer a solution to a problem an answer to the energy crisis
4. (verb)answer ≠ ask to answer a question; He answered that he didn't know.; You don't have to answer right now.
5. answer to respond to a knock or ring to answer the telephone; Don't answer the door.; No-one answered.
6. answer to give a solution to a test question to answer correctly
Definition of 'Answer'
Webster Dictionary
1. (noun)Answer to speak in defense against; to reply to in defense; as, to answer a charge; to answer an accusation
2. (noun)Answer to speak or write in return to, as in return to a call or question, or to a speech, declaration, argument, or the like; to reply to (a question, remark, etc.); to respond to
3. (noun)Answer to respond to satisfactorily; to meet successfully by way of explanation, argument, or justification, and the like; to refute
18. (verb)Answer to render account, or to be responsible; to be accountable; to make amends; as, the man mustanswer to his employer for the money intrusted to his care
20. (verb)Answer to be or act by way of compliance, fulfillment, reciprocation, or satisfaction; to serve the purpose; as, gypsum answers as a manure on some soils
21. (verb)Answer to be opposite, or to act in opposition
22. (verb)Answer to be or act as an equivalent, or as adequate or sufficient; as, a very few willanswer
23. (verb)Answer to be or act in conformity, or by way of accommodation, correspondence, relation, or proportion; to conform; to correspond; to suit; -- usually with to