v. & n.
--v.
1. intr. answer, give a reply.
2 intr. act or behave in an answering or corresponding manner.
3 intr. (usu. foll. by to) show sensitiveness to by behaviour or change (does not respond to kindness).
4 intr. (of a congregation) make answers to a priest etc.
5 intr. Bridge make a bid on the basis of a partner's preceding bid.
6 tr. say (something) in answer.
--n.
1. Archit. a half-pillar or half-pier attached to a wall to support an arch, esp. at the end of an arcade.
2 Eccl. a responsory; a response to a versicle.
Derivatives:
respondence n. respondency n. responder n.
Etymology: ME f. OF respondre answer ult. f. L respondere respons- answer (as RE-, spondere pledge)