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Responding

 - 4 dictionary results

re⋅spond

[ri-spond]
–verb (used without object)
1. to reply or answer in words: to respond briefly to a question.
2. to make a return by some action as if in answer: to respond generously to a charity drive.
3. to react favorably.
4. Physiology. to exhibit some action or effect as if in answer; react: Nerves respond to a stimulus.
5. to correspond (usually fol. by to).
6. Bridge. to make a response.
–verb (used with object)
7. to say in answer; reply.
–noun
8. 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.
9. Ecclesiastical.
a. a short anthem chanted at intervals during the reading of a lection.
b. responsory.
c. response.

Origin:
1350–1400; (n.) ME: responsory < OF, deriv. of respondre to respond < L respondēre to promise in return, reply, answer, equiv. to re- re- + spondēre to pledge, promise (see sponsor ); (v.) < L respondēre


1. rejoin. 2. rise, react, reply.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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re·spond   (rĭ-spŏnd')   
v.   re·spond·ed, re·spond·ing, re·sponds

v.   intr.
  1. To make a reply; answer. See Synonyms at answer.

  2. To act in return or in answer.

  3. To react positively or favorably: The patient has responded rapidly to the treatment.

v.   tr.
To give as a reply; answer.
n.   Architecture
A pilaster or half-pier engaged to a wall and carrying one end of an arch or groin, often at the end of an arcade.

[Middle English responden, from Old French respondre, from Latin respondēre : re-, re- + spondēre, to promise; see spend- in Indo-European roots.]
re·spond'er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

respond 
c.1300, respound, from O.Fr. respondere "respond, correspond," from L. respondere "respond, answer to, promise in return," from re- "back" + spondere "to pledge" (see spondee). Modern spelling and pronunciation is from c.1600.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: re·spond
Pronunciation: ri-'spänd
Function: intransitive verb
1 : to react in response
2 : to showfavorable reaction <respond to surgery>
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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