reply

reply
\ \ [14] Etymologically, reply means ‘fold back’. It comes ultimately from Latin replicārefold back, unfold’, a compound verb formed from the prefix re- ‘back’ and plicārefold’ (source of English ply and related to English fold). This came to be used metaphorically for ‘go over again, repeat’ (whence English replicate [16]), and also as a legal term for ‘respond’. In this latter sense it passed into English via Old French replier.
\ \ Cf.FOLD, PLY, REPLICATE

Word origins - 2ed. . 2005.

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  • reply — re·ply n: a plaintiff s or complainant s response to a plea, allegation, or counterclaim in the defendant s answer Merriam Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam Webster. 1996. reply …   Law dictionary

  • Reply — Re*ply , n.; pl. {Replies} ( pl?z ). [See {Reply}, v. i., and cf. {Replica}.] That which is said, written, or done in answer to what is said, written, or done by another; an answer; a response. [1913 Webster] Syn: Answer; rejoinder; response.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Reply — Re*ply (r? pl? ), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Replied} ( pl?d ); p. pr. & vb. n. {Replying}.] [OE. replien, OF. replier, F. r[ e]pliquer, fr. L. replicare to fold back, make a reply; pref. re re + plicare to fold. See {Ply}, and cf. {Replica}.] 1. To… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • reply — late 14c., from O.Fr. replier to reply, turn back, from L. replicare to reply, repeat, lit. fold back, from re back, again + plicare to fold (see PLY (Cf. ply)). The noun is first recorded 1550s. Mod.Fr. répliquer is directly from Late Latin …   Etymology dictionary

  • reply — [ri plī′] vi. replied, replying [ME replyen < OFr replier < L replicare, to fold back, make a reply < re , back + plicare, to fold: see PLY1] 1. to answer, or respond, in speech or writing 2. to respond by some action [to reply to the… …   English World dictionary

  • Reply — Re*ply , v. t. To return for an answer. Milton. [1913 Webster] Lords, vouchsafe To give me hearing what I shall reply. Shak. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • reply — vb *answer, respond, rejoin, retort Contrasted words: *ask, question, interrogate, query, inquire, catechize, examine: *accuse, charge, impeach, indict: salute, greet, *address reply n answer, response, rejoinder, retort (see under …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • reply — [n] answer acknowledgment, antiphon, back talk*, comeback, counter, echo, feedback, knee jerk reaction*, lip*, reaction, reciprocation, rejoinder, respond, response, retaliation, retort, return, riposte, sass*, snappy comeback*, vibes*,… …   New thesaurus

  • reply — ► VERB (replies, replied) 1) say or write something in response to something said or written. 2) respond with a similar action: they replied to the shelling with a mortar attack. ► NOUN (pl. replies) 1) the action of replying. 2) …   English terms dictionary

  • reply — {{Roman}}I.{{/Roman}} noun ADJECTIVE ▪ brief, monosyllabic (esp. BrE) ▪ blunt, curt, short, terse ▪ His reply was short and to the point …   Collocations dictionary

  • reply — ▪ I. reply re‧ply 1 [rɪˈplaɪ] verb replied PTandPP [intransitive, transitive] to answer someone, in writing or in speech: reply that • Asked about the bank s operations, the chairman replied that the record speaks for itself. reply to… …   Financial and business terms

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