to go or come back, as to a former place, position, or state: to return from abroad; to return to public office; to return to work.
2.
to revert to a former owner: The money I gave him returns to me in the event of his death.
3.
to revert or recur, as in thought, discourse, etc.: He returned to his story.
4.
to make a reply or retort: She returned with a witty sally.
–verb (used with object)
5.
to put, bring, take, give, or send back to the original place, position, etc.: to return a book to a shelf; to return a child to her mother; to return the switch to off position.
6.
to send or give back in reciprocation, recompense, or requital: to return evil for good.
7.
to reciprocate, repay, or react to (something sent, given, done, etc.) with something similar: to return the enemy's fire; to return a favor.
8.
Law.
a.
to give to a judge or official (a statement or a writ of actions done).
b.
to render (a verdict, decision, etc.).
9.
to reflect (light, sound, etc.).
10.
to yield (a profit, revenue, etc.), as in return for labor, expenditure, or investment.
11.
to report or announce officially: to return a list of members.
12.
to elect, as to a legislative body: The voters returned him to office by a landslide.
13.
Military. to put (a weapon) back into its holder.
14.
Cards. to respond to (a suit led) by a similar lead: She returned diamonds.
15.
to turn back or in the reverse direction, as a served ball in tennis.
16.
Chiefly Architecture. to cause to turn or proceed in a different direction from the previous line of direction; reverse: to return a cornice at each end of a façade.
–noun
17.
the act or fact of returning as by going or coming back or bringing, sending, or giving back: We should appreciate your return of the book immediately.
18.
a recurrence: the return of the moon each month.
19.
reciprocation, repayment, or requital: profits in return for outlay.
20.
response or reply.
21.
a person or thing that is returned: returns of mill goods.
22.
the gain realized on an exchange of goods.
23.
Often, returns.a yield or profit, as from labor, land, business, or investment: He received a quick return on his money.
24.
Also called tax return.a statement, on an officially prescribed form, of income, deductions, exemptions, etc., and taxes due.
25.
Usually, returns.an official or unofficial report on a count of votes, candidates elected, etc.: election returns.
the continuation of a molding, projection, etc., in a different direction.
b.
a side or part that falls away from the front of any straight or flat member or area.
28.
a tablelike extension attached at a right angle to a desk at typing height, for holding a typewriter, computer, etc.
29.
a key or lever on a typewriter or other business machine that returns the carriage to the extreme right, or the typing element to the extreme left, for the beginning of a new line.
Football. a runback of a kick, intercepted pass, or fumble recovery.
33.
Economics. yield per unit as compared to the cost per unit involved in a specific industrial process.
34.
Law.
a.
the bringing or sending back of various documents, such as a writ, summons, or subpoena, with a brief written report usually endorsed upon it, by a sheriff, to the court from which it issued.
b.
a certified document by a great variety of officers, as assessors, collectors, and election officers.
c.
the report or certificate endorsed in such documents.
35.
Cards. a lead that responds to a partner's lead.
36.
Theater. a flat or drapery parallel to the tormentor for masking the offstage area and often completing the downstage part of a set.
37.
returns,
a.
merchandise shipped back to a supplier from a retailer or distributor as unsold or unsalable.
b.
merchandise returned to a retailer by a consumer.
–adjective
38.
of or pertaining to a return or returning: a return trip.
39.
sent, given, or done in return: a return shot.
40.
done or occurring again: a return engagement of the opera.
41.
noting a person or thing that is returned or returning to a place: return cargo.
42.
changing in direction; doubling or returning on itself: a return twist in a road.
43.
used for returning, recirculating, etc.: the return road; a return pipe.
44.
(of a game) played in order to provide the loser of an earlier game with the opportunity to win from the same opponent: return match.
45.
adequate, necessary, or provided to enable the return of a mailed package or letter to its sender: return postage guaranteed; return address; return envelope.
[Origin: 1275–1325; (v.) ME retornen < MF retorner, returner, OF (see re-, turn); (n.) ME < AF retorn, return, deriv. of OF retorner, returner; (adj.) deriv. of the n.]
To go or come back, as to an earlier condition or place.
To revert in speech, thought, or practice.
To revert to a former owner.
To answer or respond.
v.
tr.
To send, put, or carry back: We return bottles to the store.
To give or send back in reciprocation: She returned his praise. See Synonyms at reciprocate.
To give back to the owner: He returned her book.
To reflect or send back: The echo was returned by the canyon wall.
To submit (an official report, for example) to a judge or other person in authority.
To render or deliver (a writ or verdict, for example) to the proper officer or court of law.
Sports To send back (a tennis ball, for example) to one's opponent.
Football To run with (the ball) after a kickoff, punt, interception, or fumble.
To produce or yield (profit or interest) as a payment for labor, investment, or expenditure.
Law
To submit (an official report, for example) to a judge or other person in authority.
To render or deliver (a writ or verdict, for example) to the proper officer or court of law.
Sports To send back (a tennis ball, for example) to one's opponent.
Football To run with (the ball) after a kickoff, punt, interception, or fumble.
To elect or reelect, as to a legislative body.
Games To respond to (a partner's lead) by leading the same suit in cards.
Architecture To turn away from or place at an angle to the previous line of direction.
Sports To send back (a tennis ball, for example) to one's opponent.
Football To run with (the ball) after a kickoff, punt, interception, or fumble.
n.
The act or condition of going, coming, bringing, or sending back.
The act of bringing or sending something back to a previous place, condition, or owner.
Something brought or sent back.
returns Merchandise returned, as to a retailer by a consumer or to a wholesaler by a retailer.
Something that goes or comes back.
The profit made on an exchange of goods.
A profit or yield, as from labor or investments. Often used in the plural.
Output or yield per unit rather than cost per unit, as in the manufacturing of a particular product.
A report, list, or set of statistics, especially one that is formal or official.
A report on the vote in an election. Often used in the plural.
Chiefly British An election.
The act of sending the ball back to one's opponent.
The ball thus sent back.
The act of running back the ball after a kickoff, punt, interception, or fumble.
The yardage so gained.
The extension of a molding, projection, or other part at an angle (usually 90°) to the main part.
A part of a building set at an angle to the façade.
A turn, bend, or similar reversal of direction, as in a stream or road.
A pipe or conduit for carrying something, especially water, back to its starting point.
The bringing or sending back of a writ, subpoena, or other document, generally with a short written report on it, by a sheriff or other officer to the court from which it was issued.
A certified report by an assessor, election officer, collector, or other official.
Something brought or sent back.
returns Merchandise returned, as to a retailer by a consumer or to a wholesaler by a retailer.
Something that goes or comes back.
The profit made on an exchange of goods.
A profit or yield, as from labor or investments. Often used in the plural.
Output or yield per unit rather than cost per unit, as in the manufacturing of a particular product.
A report, list, or set of statistics, especially one that is formal or official.
A report on the vote in an election. Often used in the plural.
Chiefly British An election.
The act of sending the ball back to one's opponent.
The ball thus sent back.
The act of running back the ball after a kickoff, punt, interception, or fumble.
The yardage so gained.
The extension of a molding, projection, or other part at an angle (usually 90°) to the main part.
A part of a building set at an angle to the façade.
A turn, bend, or similar reversal of direction, as in a stream or road.
A pipe or conduit for carrying something, especially water, back to its starting point.
The bringing or sending back of a writ, subpoena, or other document, generally with a short written report on it, by a sheriff or other officer to the court from which it was issued.
A certified report by an assessor, election officer, collector, or other official.
A recurrence, as of a periodic occasion or event: the return of spring.
Something exchanged for that received; repayment.
A reply; a response.
The profit made on an exchange of goods.
A profit or yield, as from labor or investments. Often used in the plural.
Output or yield per unit rather than cost per unit, as in the manufacturing of a particular product.
A report, list, or set of statistics, especially one that is formal or official.
A report on the vote in an election. Often used in the plural.
Chiefly British An election.
The act of sending the ball back to one's opponent.
The ball thus sent back.
The act of running back the ball after a kickoff, punt, interception, or fumble.
The yardage so gained.
The extension of a molding, projection, or other part at an angle (usually 90°) to the main part.
A part of a building set at an angle to the façade.
A turn, bend, or similar reversal of direction, as in a stream or road.
A pipe or conduit for carrying something, especially water, back to its starting point.
The bringing or sending back of a writ, subpoena, or other document, generally with a short written report on it, by a sheriff or other officer to the court from which it was issued.
A certified report by an assessor, election officer, collector, or other official.
A report, list, or set of statistics, especially one that is formal or official.
A report on the vote in an election. Often used in the plural.
Chiefly British An election.
The act of sending the ball back to one's opponent.
The ball thus sent back.
The act of running back the ball after a kickoff, punt, interception, or fumble.
The yardage so gained.
The extension of a molding, projection, or other part at an angle (usually 90°) to the main part.
A part of a building set at an angle to the façade.
A turn, bend, or similar reversal of direction, as in a stream or road.
A pipe or conduit for carrying something, especially water, back to its starting point.
The bringing or sending back of a writ, subpoena, or other document, generally with a short written report on it, by a sheriff or other officer to the court from which it was issued.
A certified report by an assessor, election officer, collector, or other official.
Games A lead in certain card games that responds to the lead of one's partner.
Sports In tennis and certain other sports:
The act of sending the ball back to one's opponent.
The ball thus sent back.
The act of running back the ball after a kickoff, punt, interception, or fumble.
The yardage so gained.
The extension of a molding, projection, or other part at an angle (usually 90°) to the main part.
A part of a building set at an angle to the façade.
A turn, bend, or similar reversal of direction, as in a stream or road.
A pipe or conduit for carrying something, especially water, back to its starting point.
The bringing or sending back of a writ, subpoena, or other document, generally with a short written report on it, by a sheriff or other officer to the court from which it was issued.
A certified report by an assessor, election officer, collector, or other official.
Football
The act of running back the ball after a kickoff, punt, interception, or fumble.
The yardage so gained.
The extension of a molding, projection, or other part at an angle (usually 90°) to the main part.
A part of a building set at an angle to the façade.
A turn, bend, or similar reversal of direction, as in a stream or road.
A pipe or conduit for carrying something, especially water, back to its starting point.
The bringing or sending back of a writ, subpoena, or other document, generally with a short written report on it, by a sheriff or other officer to the court from which it was issued.
A certified report by an assessor, election officer, collector, or other official.
Architecture
The extension of a molding, projection, or other part at an angle (usually 90°) to the main part.
A part of a building set at an angle to the façade.
A turn, bend, or similar reversal of direction, as in a stream or road.
A pipe or conduit for carrying something, especially water, back to its starting point.
The bringing or sending back of a writ, subpoena, or other document, generally with a short written report on it, by a sheriff or other officer to the court from which it was issued.
A certified report by an assessor, election officer, collector, or other official.
A turn, bend, or similar reversal of direction, as in a stream or road.
A pipe or conduit for carrying something, especially water, back to its starting point.
The bringing or sending back of a writ, subpoena, or other document, generally with a short written report on it, by a sheriff or other officer to the court from which it was issued.
A certified report by an assessor, election officer, collector, or other official.
The key or mechanism on a machine, such as a typewriter or computer, that positions the carriage, cursor, or printing element at the beginning of a new line.
Chiefly British A roundtrip ticket.
Law
The bringing or sending back of a writ, subpoena, or other document, generally with a short written report on it, by a sheriff or other officer to the court from which it was issued.
A certified report by an assessor, election officer, collector, or other official.
A formal tax statement on the required official form indicating taxable income, allowed deductions, exemptions, and the computed tax that is due. Also called income tax return, tax return.
adj.
Of, relating to, or bringing about a going or coming back to a place or situation: the return voyage; a return envelope.
Given, sent, or done in reciprocation or exchange: a return volley; a return invitation.
Performed, presented, or taking place again: a return engagement of the ballet; a return tennis match.
Used on or for returning: a return route.
Returning or affording return or recirculation: a return plumbing pipe; a return valve.
Relating to or being a roundtrip ticket.
Reversing or changing direction.
Having or formed by a reversal or change in direction; returning on itself, as a bend in a road or stream.
[Middle English retornen, from Old French retourner, from Vulgar Latin *retornāre : Latin re-, re- + Latin tornāre, to turn in a lathe; see turn.]
c.1366, "to come back," from O.Fr. retorner "turn back, return," from re- "back" + torner "to turn" (see turn). Transitive sense is attested from c.1420. The noun is first attested c.1390, "act of coming back;" in the tennis sense, it is from 1886. Meaning "official report of election results" is attested from 1459. Meaning "a yield, a profit" is recorded from 1626. Many happy returns of the day was used by Addison, 1716.
document giving the tax collector information about the taxpayer's tax liability; "his gross income was enough that he had to file a tax return" [syn: tax return]
2.
a coming to or returning home; "on his return from Australia we gave him a welcoming party"
3.
the occurrence of a change in direction back in the opposite direction
4.
getting something back again; "upon the restitution of the book to its rightful owner the child was given a tongue lashing" [syn: restitution]
5.
the act of going back to a prior location; "they set out on their return to the base camp"
6.
the income or profit arising from such transactions as the sale of land or other property; "the average return was about 5%"
7.
happening again (especially at regular intervals); "the return of spring" [syn: recurrence]
8.
a quick reply to a question or remark (especially a witty or critical one); "it brought a sharp rejoinder from the teacher" [syn: rejoinder]
9.
the key on electric typewriters or computer keyboards that causes a carriage return and a line feed [syn: return key]
10.
a reciprocal group action; "in return we gave them as good as we got"
11.
a tennis stroke that sends the ball back to the other player; "he won the point on a cross-court return"
12.
(American football) the act of running back the ball after a kickoff or punt or interception or fumble
13.
the act of someone appearing again; "his reappearance as Hamlet has been long awaited" [syn: reappearance]
verb
1.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before; "return to your native land"; "the professor returned to his teaching position after serving as Dean"
be inherited by; "The estate fell to my sister"; "The land returned to the family"; "The estate devolved to an heir that everybody had assumed to be dead" [syn: fall]
14.
return to a previous position; in mathematics; "The point returned to the interior of the figure"
15.
give or supply; "The cow brings in 5 liters of milk"; "This year's crop yielded 1,000 bushels of corn"; "The estate renders some revenue for the family" [syn: render]
16.
submit (a report, etc.) to someone in authority; "submit a bill to a legislative body"
to come or go back Example: He returns home tomorrow; He returned to London from Paris yesterday; The pain has returned.
Arabic:
يَعود
Chinese (Simplified):
返回
Chinese (Traditional):
返回
Czech:
vrátit se
Danish:
vende tilbage
Dutch:
terugkeren
Estonian:
tagasi tulema, tagasi minema
Finnish:
palata
French:
revenir, retourner
German:
zurückkehren
Greek:
επιστρέφω, γυρίζω
Hungarian:
visszaérkezik, -tér
Icelandic:
snúa, *koma aftur
Indonesian:
kembali
Italian:
ritornare
Japanese:
帰る
Korean:
돌아가다, 돌아오다
Latvian:
atgriezties
Lithuanian:
(su)grįžti
Norwegian:
komme, *gå, *vende tilbake
Polish:
(po)wrócić
Portuguese (Brazil):
voltar
Portuguese (Portugal):
voltar
Romanian:
a reveni, a se întoarce
Russian:
возвращаться
Slovak:
vrátiť sa
Slovenian:
vrniti se
Spanish:
volver, regresar
Swedish:
återvända
Turkish:
dönmek, geri gelmek
return2[rəˈtəːn]verb
to give, send, put etc (something) back where it came from Example: He returned the book to its shelf; Don't forget to return the books you borrowed.
Arabic:
يُعيد
Chinese (Simplified):
送还
Chinese (Traditional):
送還
Czech:
vrátit
Danish:
stille tilbage; returnere
Dutch:
teruggeven
Estonian:
tagasi panema, tagastama
Finnish:
palauttaa
French:
remettre, rendre
German:
zurückstellen,-geben
Greek:
επιστρέφω κτ.
Hungarian:
visszaad
Icelandic:
skila, setja aftur á sinn stað
Indonesian:
mengembalikan
Italian:
restituire
Japanese:
返す
Korean:
되돌려주다, 되갖다 놓다
Latvian:
atdot; atlikt atpakaļ
Lithuanian:
grąžinti, padėti atgal
Norwegian:
returnere, levere tilbake
Polish:
odłożyć z powrotem, zwrócić
Portuguese (Brazil):
devolver
Portuguese (Portugal):
devolver
Romanian:
a înapoia; a pune la loc
Russian:
возвращать
Slovak:
vrátiť, doručiť, priniesť
Slovenian:
vrniti
Spanish:
devolver
Swedish:
ge (lämna, ställa) tillbaka
Turkish:
geri vermek
return3[rəˈtəːn]verb
I'll return to this topic in a minute
Arabic:
يَعودُ إلى بَحْث
Chinese (Simplified):
（话题等的）回复
Chinese (Traditional):
(話題等的)回復
Czech:
vrátit se
Danish:
vende tilbage
Dutch:
terugkomen
Estonian:
tagasi pöörduma
Finnish:
palata
French:
revenir
German:
zurückkommen
Greek:
επανέρχομαι
Hungarian:
viszonoz; visszaad
Icelandic:
snúa sér aftur að
Indonesian:
kembali
Italian:
ritornare, tornare
Japanese:
戻る
Korean:
(원래의 문제·화제로) 되돌아가다
Latvian:
atgriezties (pie temata)
Lithuanian:
sugrįžti
Norwegian:
komme tilbake til
Polish:
powrócić
Portuguese (Brazil):
voltar
Portuguese (Portugal):
voltar
Romanian:
a se întoarce
Russian:
вернуться
Slovak:
vrátiť sa
Slovenian:
vrniti se
Spanish:
volver
Swedish:
återvända, komma tillbaka
Turkish:
geri dönmek
return4[rəˈtəːn]verb
to do (something) which has been done to oneself Example: She hit him and he returned the blow; He said how nice it was to see her again, and she returned the compliment.
Arabic:
يَرُدُّ
Chinese (Simplified):
以…回报
Chinese (Traditional):
以…回報
Czech:
oplatit
Danish:
gengælde
Dutch:
retourneren
Estonian:
samaga vastama
Finnish:
vastata
French:
rendre
German:
zurückgeben
Greek:
ανταποδίδω
Hungarian:
megválaszt (képviselőt)
Icelandic:
endurgjalda, svara í sömu mynt
Indonesian:
membalas
Italian:
restituire
Japanese:
やり返す
Korean:
…에게 되돌려주다, 답례하다
Latvian:
atbildēt (ar to pašu)
Lithuanian:
atsakyti (tuo pačiu)
Norwegian:
gjengjelde
Polish:
odwzajemnić
Portuguese (Brazil):
devolver
Portuguese (Portugal):
retribuir
Romanian:
a întoarce
Russian:
отвечать тем же
Slovak:
odplatiť
Slovenian:
vrniti
Spanish:
devolver
Swedish:
besvara, återgälda
Turkish:
karşılık vermek
return5[rəˈtəːn]verb
(of voters) to elect (someone) to Parliament
Arabic:
يَنْتَخِبُ مُرَشَّحا
Chinese (Simplified):
选举
Chinese (Traditional):
選舉
Czech:
zvolit
Danish:
genvælge
Dutch:
kiezen
Estonian:
valima
Finnish:
valita
French:
élire
German:
wählen
Greek:
εκλέγω
Hungarian:
(meg)hoz (ítéletet)
Icelandic:
(endur)kjósa
Indonesian:
memilih
Italian:
eleggere
Japanese:
選出する
Korean:
(국회의원)을 선출하다, 선거하다
Latvian:
ievēlēt (parlamentā)
Lithuanian:
išrinkti
Norwegian:
velge til parlament(et)
Polish:
wybierać
Portuguese (Brazil):
eleger
Portuguese (Portugal):
eleger
Romanian:
a alege, a vota
Russian:
избирать
Slovak:
zvoliť
Slovenian:
voliti
Spanish:
elegir
Swedish:
välja
Turkish:
(milletvekili olarak) seçmek
return6[rəˈtəːn]verb
(of a jury) to give (a verdict) Example: The jury returned a verdict of not guilty.
Arabic:
يُصْدِرُ حُكْما
Chinese (Simplified):
宣告
Chinese (Traditional):
宣告
Czech:
vyhlásit
Danish:
afsige
Dutch:
uitbrengen
Estonian:
kuulutama, teatama
Finnish:
julistaa
French:
rendre
German:
aussprechen
Greek:
εκδίδω ετυμηγορία
Hungarian:
viszaüt
Icelandic:
kveða upp úrskurð
Indonesian:
memberikan vonis
Italian:
emettere
Japanese:
答申する
Korean:
(배심원이) …을 답신하다, …을 공표하다
Latvian:
nolasīt spriedumu
Lithuanian:
paskelbti
Norwegian:
avgi kjennelse
Polish:
ogłosić
Portuguese (Brazil):
proferir
Portuguese (Portugal):
dar
Romanian:
a da
Russian:
выносить
Slovak:
vyhlásiť
Slovenian:
izreči
Spanish:
pronunciar, declarar
Swedish:
avkunna
Turkish:
vermek, bildirmek
return7[rəˈtəːn]verb
(in tennis etc) to hit (a ball) back to one's opponent Example: She returned his serve.
Arabic:
يَرُدُّ الضَّرْبَه
Chinese (Simplified):
回球
Chinese (Traditional):
回球
Czech:
vrátit
Danish:
returnere
Dutch:
terugslaan
Estonian:
(palli) tagasi lööma
Finnish:
palauttaa
French:
renvoyer
German:
zurückschlagen
Greek:
ανταποδίδω μπαλιά (π.χ. στο τένις)
Icelandic:
senda aftur, svara
Indonesian:
mengembalikan
Italian:
ribattere
Japanese:
打ち返す
Korean:
(공을) 되받아치다
Latvian:
atsist (bumbu u.tml.)
Lithuanian:
atmušti
Norwegian:
sende tilbake, returnere
Polish:
odbić
Portuguese (Brazil):
devolver
Portuguese (Portugal):
devolver
Romanian:
a întoarce
Russian:
отбивать
Slovak:
vrátiť
Slovenian:
vrniti
Spanish:
devolver
Swedish:
returnera
Turkish:
geri göndermek
return1[rəˈtəːn]noun
the act of returning Example: On our return, we found the house had been burgled; (also adjective) a return journey
Arabic:
عَوْدَه
Chinese (Simplified):
返回
Chinese (Traditional):
返回
Czech:
návrat; zpětný
Danish:
tilbagekomst; retur-
Dutch:
terugkomst
Estonian:
tagasitulemine, tagasi-
Finnish:
paluu
French:
(de) retour
German:
die Rückkehr; Rück-…
Hungarian:
visszatérés
Icelandic:
endurkoma; heimkoma
Indonesian:
pulang
Italian:
ritorno; di ritorno*
Japanese:
帰り
Korean:
귀가, 귀향
Latvian:
atgriešanās
Lithuanian:
(su)grįžimas, (su)grąžinimas
Norwegian:
tilbakekomst; tilbakereise, *-tur
Polish:
powrót
Portuguese (Brazil):
volta
Portuguese (Portugal):
regresso
Romanian:
(de) întoarcere
Russian:
возвращение
Slovak:
návrat; spiatočný
Slovenian:
vrnitev
Spanish:
vuelta, regreso
Swedish:
återkomst; åter-
Turkish:
geri dönme, geri geliş
return2[rəˈtəːn]noun
especially in United Kingdom, a round-trip ticket, a return ticket Example: Do you want a single or a return?
Re*turn"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Returned; p. pr. & vb. n. Returning.] [OE. returnen, retournen, F. retourner; pref. re- re- + tourner to turn. See Turn.]1. To turn back; to go or come again to the same place or condition. "Return to your father's house." --Chaucer. On their embattled ranks the waves return. --Milton. If they returned out of bondage, it must be into a state of freedom. --Locke. Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. --Gen. iii. 19. 2. To come back, or begin again, after an interval, regular or irregular; to appear again. With the year Seasons return; but not me returns Day or the sweet approach of even or morn. --Milton. 3. To speak in answer; to reply; to respond. He said, and thus the queen of heaven returned. --Pope. 4. To revert; to pass back into possession. And Jeroboam said in his heart, Now shall the kingdom return to the house of David. --1Kings xii. 26. 5. To go back in thought, narration, or argument. "But to return to my story." --Fielding.
Re*turn"\, v. t. 1. To bring, carry, send, or turn, back; as, to return a borrowed book, or a hired horse. Both fled attonce, ne ever back returned eye. --Spenser. 2. To repay; as, to return borrowed money. 3. To give in requital or recompense; to requite. The Lord shall return thy wickedness upon thine own head. --1 Kings ii. 44. 4. To give back in reply; as, to return an answer; to return thanks. 5. To retort; to throw back; as, to return the lie. If you are a malicious reader, you return upon me, that I affect to be thought more impartial than I am. --Dryden. 6. To report, or bring back and make known. And all the people answered together, . . . and Moses returned the words of the people unto the Lord. --Ex. xix. 8. 7. To render, as an account, usually an official account, to a superior; to report officially by a list or statement; as, to return a list of stores, of killed or wounded; to return the result of an election. 8. Hence, to elect according to the official report of the election officers. [Eng.] 9. To bring or send back to a tribunal, or to an office, with a certificate of what has been done; as, to return a writ. 10. To convey into official custody, or to a general depository. Instead of a ship, he should levy money, and return the same to the treasurer for his majesty's use. --Clarendon. 11. (Tennis) To bat (the ball) back over the net. 12. (Card Playing) To lead in response to the lead of one's partner; as, to return a trump; to return a diamond for a club. To return a lead (Card Playing), to lead the same suit led by one's partner. Syn: To restore; requite; repay; recompense; render; remit; report.
Re*turn"\, n. 1. The act of returning (intransitive), or coming back to the same place or condition; as, the return of one long absent; the return of health; the return of the seasons, or of an anniversary. At the return of the year the king of Syria will come up against thee. --1 Kings xx. 22. His personal return was most required and necessary. --Shak. 2. The act of returning (transitive), or sending back to the same place or condition; restitution; repayment; requital; retribution; as, the return of anything borrowed, as a book or money; a good return in tennis. You made my liberty your late request: Is no return due from a grateful breast? --Dryden. 3. That which is returned. Specifically: (a) A payment; a remittance; a requital. I do expect return Of thrice three times the value of this bond. --Shak. (b) An answer; as, a return to one's question. (c) An account, or formal report, of an action performed, of a duty discharged, of facts or statistics, and the like; as, election returns; a return of the amount of goods produced or sold; especially, in the plural, a set of tabulated statistics prepared for general information. (d) The profit on, or advantage received from, labor, or an investment, undertaking, adventure, etc. The fruit from many days of recreation is very little; but from these few hours we spend in prayer, the return is great. --Jer. Taylor. 4. (Arch.) The continuation in a different direction, most often at a right angle, of a building, face of a building, or any member, as a molding or mold; -- applied to the shorter in contradistinction to the longer; thus, a facade of sixty feet east and west has a return of twenty feet north and south. 5. (Law) (a) The rendering back or delivery of writ, precept, or execution, to the proper officer or court. (b) The certificate of an officer stating what he has done in execution of a writ, precept, etc., indorsed on the document. (c) The sending back of a commission with the certificate of the commissioners. (d) A day in bank. See Return day, below. --Blackstone. 6. (Mil. & Naval) An official account, report, or statement, rendered to the commander or other superior officer; as, the return of men fit for duty; the return of the number of the sick; the return of provisions, etc. 7. pl. (Fort. & Mining) The turnings and windings of a trench or mine. Return ball, a ball held by an elastic string so that it returns to the hand from which it is thrown, -- used as a plaything. Return bend, a pipe fitting for connecting the contiguous ends of two nearly parallel pipes lying alongside or one above another. Return day (Law), the day when the defendant is to appear in court, and the sheriff is to return the writ and his proceedings. Return flue, in a steam boiler, a flue which conducts flame or gases of combustion in a direction contrary to their previous movement in another flue. Return pipe (Steam Heating), a pipe by which water of condensation from a heater or radiator is conveyed back toward the boiler.
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