respond

Etymology

From Middle English respounden, from Old French respondre, from Late Latin respondō, from Latin respondeō. Cf. Modern French répondre.

verb

1. (transitive, intransitive) To say something in return; to answer; to reply.
   to respond to a question or an argument
2. (intransitive) To act in return; to carry out an action or in return to a force or stimulus; to do something in response.
   As in much of biology, the most satisfying truths in ecology derive from manipulative experimentation. Tinker with nature and quantify how it responds. 2012-01, Robert M. Pringle, “How to Be Manipulative”, in American Scientist, volume 100, number 1, archived from the original on 2013-10-03, page 31
3. (transitive, intransitive) To correspond with; to suit.
4. (transitive) To satisfy; to answer.
   The prisoner was held to respond the judgment of the court.
5. (intransitive) To be liable for payment.

noun

1. A response.
2. A versicle or short anthem chanted at intervals during the reading of a lection.
3. (architecture) A half-pillar, pilaster, or any corresponding device engaged in a wall to receive the impost of an arch.