I. rə̇ˈspänd, rēˈs- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French respondre to respond
1. : something sung or said after or in reply to the officiant in a liturgy : a response to or as if to a versicle : responsory
2. : an engaged pillar supporting an arch or closing a colonnade or arcade
the nave arcade will be of nine pillars and two responds
also : a corbel so used or a pilaster that backs up a free column
3. : answer , reply
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle French respondre to answer, correspond, from Latin respondēre to promise in return, answer, correspond, from re- + spondēre to promise — more at spouse
intransitive verb
1. archaic : to correspond to or accord with something
2. : to say something in return : make an answer
responded negatively to the question
as
a. : to make a respond or response in a liturgy
b.
(1) : to make a bid in bridge based wholly or partly on strength promised by a previous bid by one's partner
(2) : to bid as directed by a forcing bid made by one's partner
3. : to show some reaction to a force or stimulus
the pupil of the eye responds to change of light intensity
: react in response
a horse responding to kindly treatment
responded with rage to the insult
the abscess responded well to heat treatment
often : to react favorably in response
is at last responding to medication
4. : to render satisfaction : be answerable
transitive verb
archaic : to answer to : correspond to
Synonyms: see answer