n.
Function: verb
Inflected Form: an · swered ; an · swer · ing \ ' an(t)s-ri ŋ , ' an(t)-s ə - \
Date: before 12th century
intransitive verb
1 : to speak or write in reply
2 a : to be or make oneself responsible or accountable < answer for a debt> b : to make amends : ATONE <must answer for his crimes>
3 : to be in conformity or correspondence < answer ed to the description>
4 : to act in response to an action performed elsewhere or by another <the home team scored first but the visitors answer ed quickly>
5 : to be adequate : SERVE <an old bucket answer ed for a sink>
transitive verb
1 a : to speak or write in reply to < answer a question> < answer me> b : to say or write by way of reply < answer yes or no>
2 : to reply to in rebuttal, justification, or explanation < answer an accusation>
3 a : to correspond to < answer s the description> b : to be adequate or usable for : FULFILL < answer a need>
4 obsolete : to atone for
5 : to act in response to < answer ed the call to arms>
6 : to offer a solution for especially : SOLVE < answer a riddle>
– an · swer · er \ ' an(t)-s ə r- ə r \ noun