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Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary an·swer
ETYMOLOGY Middle English, from Old English andswaru (akin to Old Norse andsvar answer); akin to Old English and- against, swerian to swear — more at ante- DATE before 12th century 1. a. something spoken or written in reply to a question b. a correct response knows the answer 2. a reply to a legal charge or suit : plea ; also : defense 3. something done in response or reaction his only answer was to walk out 4. a solution of a problem more money is not the answer 5. one that imitates, matches, or corresponds to another television's answer to the news magazines Synonyms. answer , response , reply , rejoinder , retort mean something spoken, written, or done in return. answer implies the satisfying of a question, demand, call, or need had answers to all their questions response may imply a quick or spontaneous reaction to a person or thing that serves as a stimulus a response to the call for recruits reply often suggests a thorough response to all issues, points, or questions raised a point-by-point reply to the accusation rejoinder can be a response to a reply or to an objection a salesman with a quick rejoinder to every argument retort implies a reaction to an implicit or explicit charge, criticism, or attack which contains a countercharge or counterattack she made a cutting retort to her critics
verb DATE before 12th century intransitive verb 1. to speak or write in reply 2. a. to be or make oneself responsible or accountable answer for a debt b. to make amends : atone must answer for his crimes 3. to be in conformity or correspondence answered to the description 4. to act in response to an action performed elsewhere or by another the home team scored first but the visitors answered quickly 5. to be adequate : serve an old bucket answered for a sink transitive verb 1. a. to speak or write in reply to answer a question answer me b. to say or write by way of reply answer yes or no 2. to reply to in rebuttal, justification, or explanation answer an accusation 3. a. to correspond to answers the description b. to be adequate or usable for : fulfill answer a need 4. obsolete : to atone for 5. to act in response to answered the call to arms 6. to offer a solution for; especially : solve answer a riddle English Etymology answer answer (n.) O.E. andswaru "a reply," from and- "against" (see ante) + -swaru "affirmation," from swerian "to swear" (see swear), suggesting an original sense of "make a sworn statement rebutting a charge." A common Gmc. compound (cf. O.S. antswor, O.N.andsvar, O.Fris. ondser), implying a P.Gmc. *andswara-. Meaning "a reply to a question," the main modern sense, was in O.E. The verb is from O.E. answarian. Answerable "liable to be held responsible" is from 1540s. The telephone answering machine is from 1961. Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary-牛津双解-OALD7 ☞ answer an·swer / 5B:nsE(r); NAmE 5An- / noun~ (to sth) 1. something that you say, write or do to react to a question or situation 答覆；回答: I can't easily give an answer to your question. 你的问题我难以回答。 Have you had an answer to your letter? 你那封信有回音没有？ As if in answer to our prayers, she offered to lend us £10 000. 好像祈祷很灵验似的,她提出借给我们 1 万英镑。 I rang the bell, but there was no answer. 我按了门铃,但没有人应门。 She had no answer to the accusations. 她对控告无以为答。 2. something that you write or say in reply to a question in a test, an exam, an exercise, etc.; the correct reply to a question in a test, etc. (试题、练习等的)答案,正确答案: Write your answers on the sheet provided. 在所发的答题纸上写下答案。 Do you know the answer to question 12 (= the right one) ? 你知道第 12 题的正确答案吗？ 3. a solution to a problem (问题的)解决办法,答案: There is no easy answer. 没有容易的解决办法。 This could be the answer to all our problems. 这可能就是我们全部问题的解决办法。 The obvious answer would be to cancel the party. 明摆着的解决方法是取消聚会。 4. a person or thing from six place that may be thought to be as good as a famous person or thing from another place 足以媲美的人；堪称相当的事物: The new theme park will be Britain's answer to Disneyland. 英国新的主题乐园可与迪斯尼乐园媲美。 IDIOMS ▪ have / know all the 'answers (informal, often disapproving) to be confident that you know sth, especially when you actually do not (自以为)全懂,什么都精通: He thinks he knows all the answers. 他自以为什么都知道。 ⇨ more at no exclam. verb1. to say, write or do sth as a reaction to a question or situation 答覆；回答 SYN reply :
▪ [V] I repeated the question, but she didn't answer. 我把问题重复了一遍,但是她仍没有回答。 ▪ [VN] You haven't answered my question. 你没有回答我的问题。 to answer a letter / an advertisement 覆信；对广告作出反应 to answer the phone (= to pick up the phone when it rings) 接电话 to answer the door (= to open the door when sb knocks / rings) 应门(铃)声开门 My prayers have been answered (= I have got what I wanted). 我的祈祷应验了(指如愿以偿)。 He refused to answer the charges against him. 他拒绝对他的指控进行答辩。 Come on, answer me! Where were you? 快点,回答我！你到哪儿去了？ He answered me with a smile. 他对我报以微笑。 ▪ [V speech] 'I'd prefer to walk,' she answered. "我宁愿步行。"她答道。 ▪ [VN speech] 'I'd prefer to walk,' she answered him. "我宁愿步行。"她回答他道。 ▪ [V that] She answered that she would prefer to walk. 她回答说她宁愿步行。 ▪ [VNN] Answer me this: how did they know we were here? 回答我这个问题:他们怎么知道我们在这儿？ ▪ [also VN that] 2. [VN] (formal) to be suitable for sth; to match sth 适合；符合；比得上；相配: Does this answer your requirements? 这个符合你的要求吗？ ▪ answer to the name of sth (especially of a pet animal 尤指宠物) to be called sth 名叫；叫做 ⇨ more at description PHRASAL VERBS ▪ 7answer 'back to defend yourself against criticism 为自己辩护；答辩: He was given the chance to answer back in a radio interview. 在一次广播访谈中他得到了辩白的机会。 ▪ 7answer 'back | 7answer sb 'back to speak rudely to sb in authority, especially when they are criticizing you or telling you to do sth 顶嘴；回嘴；还嘴: Don't answer back! 别回嘴！ Stop answering your mother back! 不准和母亲顶嘴！ ▪ 'answer for sth 1. to accept responsibility or blame for sth 对…负责；因…受到谴责: You will have to answer for your behaviour six day. 总有一天你要因你的行为承担责任。 This government has a lot to answer for (= is responsible for a lot of bad things). 这届政府对很多坏事都有责任。 2. to promise that sb has a particular quality or can be relied on to do sth 担保,保证(某人的品质等): I can answer for her honesty. 我可以担保她为人诚实。 ▪ 'answer for sb (usually in negative sentences 通常用于否定句) to say that sb else will do sth or have a particular opinion 代表…讲话；代表…的意见: I agree, but I can't answer for my colleagues. 我同意,但是我不能代表我同事们的意见。 ▪ 'answer to sb (for sth) to have to explain your actions or decisions to sb 向某人(为某事)负责: All sales clerks answer to the store manager. 所有售货员都向商店经理负责。 Oxford Collocations Dictionary for Students of English answer noun 1 sth that you say/write/do as a reply ADJ. brief, quick, short The short answer to your query is that he has acted completely illegally. | blunt, direct, straight I expect a straight answer to a straight question. | detailed, full, precise | immediate | final | affirmative, positive | negative | honest, reasonable, sensible | dusty (= unsatisfactory) I complained to the water company and received a very dusty answer. VERB + ANSWER get, have, receive Did you ever get an answer to your letter? | demand | wait for | give sb, offer Please give her your answer, so she can make the necessary arrangements. She repeated her question, but he offered no answer. | guess, know I think you can guess the answer?they won't lend us the money. ANSWER + VERB come The answer came in a postcard she sent from Devon. PREP. in ~ to In answer to your enquiries, I can only say that we did not find her work of a satisfactory standard. | ~ to her answer to his question 2 solution to a problem ADJ. easy, instant, ready, simple | clear, clear-cut, obvious The obvious answer would be to cancel the party. | logical, reasonable, sensible | adequate, real, satisfactory | complete, convincing, definitive, effective, good, long-term, perfect | partial VERB + ANSWER have, know We are aware of this problem, but we do not have the answer. | look for, seek | arrive at, come up with, find We have arrived at an answer which we hope will satisfy everyone. | give sb, offer, provide If you want to save time, this machine will provide the answer. PREP. ~ to There is no easy answer to the problem. PHRASES have/know all the answers He's so arrogant, he thinks he knows all the answers. 3 to questions in a test ADJ. acceptable, appropriate, correct, right | incorrect, wrong | written This part of the exam requires a written answer. VERB + ANSWER give | guess It's not worth guessing the answer, as you may lose marks. | know | print, write Please print the answers to questions 1 to 9. PREP. ~ to Do you know the answer to the question? OLT answer noun ⇨ answer (an answer to sb's question/letter)⇨ solution (the answer to question 12) answer verb ⇨ answer Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged an·swer I. \ˈan(t)sə(r), ˈaan-, ˈain-, ˈȧn-\ noun (-s) Etymology: Middle English answer, andswere, from Old English andswaru (akin to Old Frisian ondser, Old Saxon antswōr, Old Norse andsvar), from and- against + -swaru (from the root of Old English swerian to swear) — more at ante- , swear 1. a. : something spoken or written in reply : a response to a question, call, summons, or appeal : a rejoinder to a remark, argument, or objection : a letter sent in return for one received : reply < an honest answer to a fair question > < a soft answer turns away wrath — Prov 15:1 (Revised Standard Version) > < I called him but he gave no answer — Song of Sol 5:6 (Revised Standard Version) > < sent him five letters without receiving a single answer > b. : a correct response to a question intended to test knowledge (as one asked as part of an examination or one implied in a topic assigned for discussion) < knew the answers to only 3 of the 10 questions > 2. a. : a reply to a charge or accusation : defense < at my first answer no man stood with me — 2 Tim 4:16 (Authorized Version) > b. common law : a counterstatement of facts in a course of pleadings; especially : the counterstatement made by the defendant in an equity case by way of reply to the charges made by the complainant in his bill — distinguished from demurrer c. modern statutory law : the defendant's pleading made in either law or equity often including a demurrer or any other pleading whereby an issue is made or tendered by the defendant (as where a statute provides that judgment by default may be entered if no answer is filed) d. English law : the plaintiff's reply to a defendant's plea setting up circumstances in defense 3. : something done or given in response or in return for something else : a reply made through action < its publication … comes as the answer to an acute demand — Survey Graphic > < the Western answer to this move was the use of planes to supply food > < his only answer was to take his hat and walk out > also : responsive action < received a slap by way of answer > < men from the neighboring villages gathered in answer to the warning > < in answer to your request we are sending a catalog > 4. : a solution of a problem: a. : a solution resulting from mathematical operation or other similar exercise of the reasoning power < the answer to a chess problem > < the answer to a cryptogram > b. : a solution of any intricate problem : explanation of a perplexing or difficult situation offered or accepted as correct and as furnishing a guide to procedure < the world situation is not one to which there is an easy answer— Dean Acheson > < the search for an answer to life > 5. of a fugue : the imitation or exact transposition of the subject by a different voice usually at the interval of a fifth above or a fourth below II. verb (answered ; answered ; answering \-s(ə)riŋ\ ; answers) Etymology: Middle English answeren, andsweren, from Old English andswarian, andswerian, from andswaru, n. intransitive verb 1. a. : to speak or write in reply to something said or written by another : reply , respond , rejoin < too nervous to answer effectively > < answered well in all his examinations except one > < refused to answer on grounds of possible self-incrimination > < should give the … organizations attacked by him a chance to answer through public hearings — S.H.Slichter > < think carefully before answering > b. : to serve or file an answer (sense 2) 2. a. : to be or make oneself responsible or accountable : undertake responsibility : give assurance or guaranty — used with for < stood ready to answer for the conduct of his children > < unless immediate reforms are made, we cannot answer for the consequences > < no one can answer for the future > b. : to meet or suffer the consequences of responsibility : make amends : atone , pay — used with for < a crime for which he answered with his life > < someday you will answer for this > 3. : to be in conformity or correspondence in size, shape, position, character, or quality : be similar or equivalent : correspond — usually used with to < as in water face answers to face, so the mind of man reflects the man — Prov 27:19 (Revised Standard Version) > < a result that did not answer to expectations > < the boundless ocean of prairie vanishing into the far horizon, and above it the answering disk of sky — Meridel Le Sueur > < answered perfectly to the description we had been given of it > 4. : to make a responsive sound (as of an echo) 5. : to act in response to a request, a signal, a controlling action or instrument, or any action performed elsewhere or by another especially in obedience or sympathy or suitably in return < we rang several times but no one ed > < if you make the sign of the Man then she will answer with the sign of the Fox — Lafcadio Hearn > < underground treasures … seldom answer clearly when they are queried by the geologist's instruments — Time > < a flashing light answered on the leading destroyer — Wirt Williams > 6. : to serve the purpose : be adequate or sufficient : serve , do < in teaching the young to think hard, any subject will answer — C.W.Eliot > — often used with for < a sofa that was quite often made to answer for a bed > 7. : to repeat or imitate a musical theme stated by a preceding voice < the second voice answers in the dominant > transitive verb 1. : to speak or write in response to : reply to < answer me when I speak to you > < you have not answered my question > < wrote him several letters which he did not answer > < a job which he secured by answering an advertisement > also : to say or write by way of reply < answered that they would be happy to come > < answered the first thing that came into his head > 2. : to reply to by way of rebuttal, justification, or satisfactory explanation : meet successfully in opposition < an argument that is not easily answered > < the only faith that can immediately and finally answercommunism — Stephen Spender > 3. : to reply to (as a charge, accusation, or complaint) in defense :make a defense against < was held in bail to answer a charge of petty larceny > 4. : to act or be in correspondence to: a. : to give back in kind or in retaliation : return especially suitably or commensurately < answering blow with blow > < answered the enemy's fire shell for shell > b. : to correspond or conform to : agree with : fit , suit < if thy appearance answer loud report — John Milton > < a man exactly answering the description broadcast by the police > < all work must answer the specifications laid down > c. : to correspond to in position < the subtle antiphonal effects that come from curve answering curve, angle echoing angle — Hunter Mead > < parts that answer each other on a blueprint > 5. : to fulfill, satisfy, or meet (as an obligation, requirement, expectation) < studies day and night to answer all the debt he owes unto you — Shakespeare > : be sufficient for : serve < a first-aid kit designed to answer all common emergencies > < if peace did not serve his purposes, war might answer them — Francis Hackett > 6. : to reply favorably to (as a petition) < our prayers were answered > 7. obsolete : to atone or make amends for : suffer the consequences of < a grievous fault, and grievously hath Caesar answered it — Shakespeare > 8. : to act in or by way of response to < a word of protest would be answered by a blow from a scimitar — C.S.Forester > < a call for 1000 bottles of blood was answered promptly — Irene Kuhn > < the ship was listing heavily and wouldn't answer her rudder > < three fire companies answered the alarm > < the phone is ringing but nobody answers it > 9. : to solve or offer a solution for < can you answer this riddle > < tried not only to answer problems but to anticipate them > Synonyms: respond , reply , rejoin , retort : answer is the most general term of this group and is used without especial suggestion for any action of saying, writing, or doing something called for in return < to answer a question > < to answer the telephone > It may suggest full or ample return < he could assert, produce arguments, opinions, and information but he couldn't meet or answer arguments — Rose Macaulay > respond may suggest a ready, willing, or immediate answering; it is used in connection with various stimuli, answer being more limited < responding to that appeal, many men and women went forth into the foreign field — Elmer Davis > < they were all quick to learn and respond to ethical values — Frances G. Patton > < responding to the threat of death with behavior that is a degradation of the human spirit — Time > reply may focus attention on the act of answering in the same way, covering the same ground, giving an appropriate return < to reply to a charge > < to reply to a salute > < “if anything starts, we are lost, sir”, observed the first lieutenant again. “I'm perfectly aware of it”, replied the captain, in a calm tone — Frederick Marryat > < three deep throaty blasts announce the approaching ship, to which the bridge replies with a like number of shrill signals — American Guide Series: Minnesota > rejoin means merely making an answer but may apply to a sharp or pointed reply to an ill-taken comment < “he can't sleep comfortably on that ship”, she said. “In his present state”, rejoined Andrew, “he might not sleep comfortably anywhere” — L.C.Douglas > retort applies to a retaliatory countering answer to some criticism, charge, rebuke, or argument < the plundering soldier in Georgia who retorted to Sherman's sermon with “you can't expect all the cardinal virtues for thirteen dollars a month” — D.W.Brogan > < “you wouldn't let me send you a book or two just as a friendly memento?” she cried, incredulous. “I don't take anything from anybody”, he retorted — S.H.Adams > Synonym: see in addition satisfy .• - answer back - answer to the name of III. noun : one that imitates, matches, or corresponds to another < picture books—the book business's answer to the movies — Edward Hoagland > |
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