Answer - Definition

n 1: a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to
reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation;
"I waited several days for his answer"; "he wrote replies
to several of his critics" [syn: answer, reply,
response]
2: a statement that solves a problem or explains how to solve
the problem; "they were trying to find a peaceful solution";
"the answers were in the back of the book"; "he computed the
result to four decimal places" [syn: solution, answer,
result, resolution, solvent]
3: the speech act of replying to a question [ant: enquiry,
inquiry, interrogation, query, question]
4: the principal pleading by the defendant in response to
plaintiff's complaint; in criminal law it consists of the
defendant's plea of `guilty' or `not guilty' (or nolo
contendere); in civil law it must contain denials of all
allegations in the plaintiff's complaint that the defendant
hopes to controvert and it can contain affirmative defenses
or counterclaims
5: a nonverbal reaction; "his answer to any problem was to get
drunk"; "their answer was to sue me"
v 1: react verbally; "She didn't want to answer"; "answer the
question"; "We answered that we would accept the
invitation" [syn: answer, reply, respond]
2: respond to a signal; "answer the door"; "answer the
telephone"
3: give the correct answer or solution to; "answer a question";
"answer the riddle"
4: understand the meaning of; "The question concerning the
meaning of life cannot be answered" [syn: answer,
resolve]
5: give a defence or refutation of (a charge) or in (an
argument); "The defendant answered to all the charges of the
prosecution"
6: be liable or accountable; "She must answer for her actions"
7: be sufficient; be adequate, either in quality or quantity; "A
few words would answer"; "This car suits my purpose well";
"Will $100 do?"; "A 'B' grade doesn't suffice to get me into
medical school"; "Nothing else will serve" [syn: suffice,
do, answer, serve]
8: match or correspond; "The drawing of the suspect answers to
the description the victim gave"
9: be satisfactory for; meet the requirements of or serve the
purpose of; "This may answer her needs"
10: react to a stimulus or command; "The steering of my new car
answers to the slightest touch"