respond

[ri-spond]

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verb (used without object)

to reply or answer in words: to respond briefly to a question.

to make a return by some action as if in answer: to respond generously to a charity drive.

to react favorably.

Physiology. to exhibit some action or effect as if in answer; react: Nerves respond to a stimulus.

to correspond (usually followed by to).

Bridge. to make a response.

verb (used with object)

to say in answer; reply.

noun

Architecture. a half pier, pilaster, or the like projecting from a wall as a support for a lintel or an arch, the other side of which is supported on a free-standing pier or column.

Ecclesiastical.

a short anthem chanted at intervals during the reading of a lection.
responsory.
response.

Origin of respond

1350–1400; (noun) Middle English: responsory < Old French, derivative of respondre to respond < Latin respondēre to promise in return, reply, answer, equivalent to re- re- + spondēre to pledge, promise (see sponsor); (v.) < Latin respondēre

Related formso·ver·re·spond, verbun·re·spond·ing, adjective

Synonyms for respond

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1. rejoin. 2. rise, react, reply.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for respond

return, acknowledge, counter, react, behave, answer, reply, rejoin, reciprocate, retort, feedback

Examples from the Web for respond

Contemporary Examples of respond

That kind of compassion might go a long way toward helping us begin to respond to a hurting world.
In 2015, Let’s Try for More Compassion
Gene Robinson
January 4, 2015
The group did not respond to repeated requests for comment.
The Monsters Who Screamed for Dead Cops
Jacob Siegel
December 23, 2014
Democrats need to respond aggressively to the crony capitalism practiced by many Republicans, particularly regarding Wall Street.
Time to Bring Back the Truman Democrats
Joel Kotkin
December 21, 2014
If you take too long to respond, people will just keep talking and your chance to speak is lost.
‘Game of Thrones’ Interactive FanFiction: Whoops, My Friend Was Speared in the Throat
Alec Kubas-Meyer
December 13, 2014
“Then they ask questions and they have time for children to be able to respond as well,” Folan added.
The Radio Battle to Educate Ebola’s Kids
Abby Haglage
December 11, 2014

Historical Examples of respond

Her heart had not yet received the inevitable summons to respond.
Viviette
William J. Locke
I could never know—never come to her when she called, or respond to her spirit.
Green Mansions
W. H. Hudson
Amelia's heart did not respond; at that time, she had no reason for thinking she was fond of children.
Tiverton Tales
Alice Brown
His broker called for more margin; he could not respond and was sold out.
The Greater Inclination
Edith Wharton
He is reminded of a toast—a toast to which they will respond.
Life And Adventures Of Martin Chuzzlewit
Charles Dickens

British Dictionary definitions for respond

respond

verb

to state or utter (something) in reply

(intr) to act in reply; reactto respond by issuing an invitation

(intr foll by to) to react favourablythis patient will respond to treatment

an archaic word for correspond

noun

architect a pilaster or an engaged column that supports an arch or a lintel

Christianity a choral anthem chanted in response to a lesson read at a church service

Derived Formsrespondence or respondency, nounresponder, noun

Word Origin for respond

C14: from Old French respondre, from Latin rēspondēre to return like for like, from re- + spondēre to pledge; see spouse, sponsor

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for respond

c.1300, respound, from Old French respondere "respond, correspond," from Latin respondere "respond, answer to, promise in return," from re- "back" (see re-) + spondere "to pledge" (see spondee). Modern spelling and pronunciation is from c.1600. Related: Responded; responding.