n.
Pronunciation: ri- ' t ə rn
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French returner, from re- + turner, tourner to turn ― more at TURN
Date: 14th century
intransitive verb
1 a : to go back or come back again < return home> b : to go back in thought, practice, or condition : REVERT
2 : to pass back to an earlier possessor
3 : REPLY , RETORT
transitive verb
1 a : to give (as an official account) to a superior b British : to elect (a candidate) as attested by official report or returns c : to bring back (as a writ or verdict) to an office or tribunal
2 a : to bring, send, or put back to a former or proper place b : to restore to a former or to a normal state
3 a : to send back : VISIT ― usually used with on or upon b obsolete : RETORT
4 : to bring in (as profit) : YIELD
5 a : to give or perform in return : REPAY < return a compliment> also : to respond to in kind < return ed his calls> b : to give back to the owner c : REFLECT < return an echo>
6 : to cause (as a wall) to continue in a different direction (as at a right angle)
7 : to lead (a specified suit or specified card of a suit) in response to a partner's earlier lead
8 a : to hit back (a ball or shuttlecock) b : to run with (a football) after a change of possession (as by a punt or a fumble)
synonyms see RECIPROCATE
– re · turn · er noun