respond

[ ri-spond ]
/ rɪˈspɒnd /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR respond ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object)

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

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to waver in mind or opinion; be indecisive or irresolute.
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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

OTHER WORDS FROM respond

o·ver·re·spond, verbun·re·spond·ing, adjective

Words nearby respond

respirometry, respite, respite care, resplendence, resplendent, respond, respondence, respondent, respondent conditioning, responder, Responsa
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to respond

return, acknowledge, come back, counter, react, behave, answer, reply, rejoin, reciprocate, retort, come in, feedback, answer back, feel for, get back to, get in touch, talk back

Example sentences from the Web for respond

British Dictionary definitions for respond

respond
/ (rɪˈspɒnd) /

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 forms of respond

respondence 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