reply

[ri-plahy] /rɪˈplaɪ/
verb (used without object), replied, replying.
1.
to make answer in words or writing; answer; respond:
to reply to a question.
2.
to respond by some action, performance, etc.:
to reply to the enemy's fire.
3.
to return a sound; echo; resound.
4.
Law. to answer a defendant's plea.
verb (used with object), replied, replying.
5.
to return as an answer (usually used in a negative combination or followed by a clause with that):
Not a syllable did he reply. He replied that no one would go.
noun, plural replies.
6.
an answer or response in words or writing.
7.
a response made by some action, performance, etc.
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English replien (v.) < Middle French replier to fold back, reply < Latin replicāre to unroll, fold back; see replicate
Related forms
replier, noun
unreplied, adjective
unreplying, adjective
Synonyms
1. rejoin. 6. rejoinder, riposte. See answer.
Examples from the web for reply
  • We will make every effort to answer your queries and will reply to you via email within two business days.
  • The request for a reply is often omitted, since everyone is supposed to know that an answer is necessary.
  • If you are unsure how to answer a question, you might reply with another question.
  • Seconds later comes a reply saying whether the drug is genuine.
  • Long ago, farmers cut down nearby woodlands to make room for their crops-and nature came back with a surprising reply.
  • Thank you for your comment in reply to my questions.
  • That's the only reply industry ever makes to the the knowledge of the harm caused by their pollutants or their designs.
  • Considering the strength of the argument, this is one lame reply.
  • Five years too late, a reply that is completely nonsensical as well as full of the requisite bad grammar, and no link.
  • The thoughtless humanitarian is ready with his reply.
British Dictionary definitions for reply

reply

/rɪˈplaɪ/
verb (mainly intransitive) -plies, -plying, -plied
1.
to make answer (to) in words or writing or by an action; respond: he replied with an unexpected move
2.
(transitive; takes a clause as object) to say (something) in answer: he replied that he didn't want to come
3.
(law) to answer a defendant's plea
4.
to return (a sound); echo
noun (pl) -plies
5.
an answer made in words or writing or through an action; response
6.
the answer made by a plaintiff or petitioner to a defendant's case
Derived Forms
replier, noun
Word Origin
C14: from Old French replier to fold again, reply, from Latin replicāre to fold back, from re- + plicāre to fold
Word Origin and History for reply
v.

late 14c., "to make an answer," from Old French replier "to reply, turn back," from Late Latin replicare "to reply, repeat," in classical Latin "fold back, fold over, bend back," from re- "back, again" (see re-) + plicare "to fold" (see ply (v.1)). Latin literal sense of "to fold back" is attested from mid-15c. in English but is not now used. Modern French répliquer (Middle French replier) is directly from Late Latin. Related: Replied; replying.

n.

1550s, from reply (v.).

reply in Technology


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