Reply

Re·ply′ (r?-pl?′), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Replied (-pl?d′); p. pr. & vb. n. Replying.] [OE. replien, OF. replier, F. répliquer, fr. L. replicare to fold back, make a reply; pref. re- re- + plicare to fold. See Ply, and cf. Replica.] 1. To make a return in words or writing; to respond; to answer.

O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Rom. ix. 20.

2. (Law) To answer a defendant's plea.

3. Figuratively, to do something in return for something done; as, to reply to a signal; to reply to the fire of a battery.

Syn. — To answer; respond; rejoin.

Re·ply′, v. t. To return for an answer. Milton.

Lords, vouchsafe To give me hearing what I shall reply. Shak.

Re·ply′, n.; pl. Replies (-pl?z′). [See Reply, v. i., and cf. Replica.] That which is said, written, or done in answer to what is said, written, or done by another; an answer; a response.

Syn. — Answer; rejoinder; response. — Reply, Rejoinder, Answer. A reply is a distinct response to a formal question or attack in speech or writing. A rejoinder is a second reply (a reply to a reply) in a protracted discussion or controversy. The word answer is used in two senses, namely, in the most general sense of a mere response; as, the answer to a question; or, in the sense of a decisive and satisfactory confutation of an adversary's argument, as when we speak of a triumphant answer to the speech or accusations of an opponent. Here the noun corresponds to a frequent use of the verb, as when we say. "This will answer (i.e., fully meet) the end in view;" "It answers the purpose."