reply Hear it!

reply Definition

re·ply (ri plī′)

intransitive verb -·plied′, -·ply′·ing

  1. to answer, or respond, in speech or writing
  2. to respond by some action to reply to the enemy's fire with a barrage
  3. to echo
  4. Law to answer a defendant's plea

Etymology: ME replyen < OFr replier < L replicare, to fold back, make a reply < re-, back + plicare, to fold: see ply

transitive verb

to say in answer she replied that she disapproved

noun pl. -·plies′

  1. an answer, or response, in speech or writing
  2. a response by some action
  3. Law the plaintiff's answer to the defendant's plea; specif., the answer to a counterclaim

reply Related Forms

re·pli′er noun

reply Synonyms

reply

n.

response, return, retort; see answer 1.

reply Synonyms

reply

v.

answer, respond, rejoin, return; see answer 1. See syn. study at answer.

reply Law Definition

n

A plaintiff’s response to a defendant’s answer or counterclaim in a civil case; a plaintiff’s response (with the court’s permission) to a charge from a third party; in common law, the answer of the plaintiff to the answer or pleading of the defendant; the reply may be followed by a rejoinder by the defendant.

v

the act of responding to a pleading of an opposing party. 

reply Usage Examples

Object

'i: It is the fool that replies, 'I don't want to get rich.

Converse of object

  • receive: I did not receive a reply to my letter of complaint.
  • await: Awaiting replies from all partner sites before revised subcontracts can be sent out.
  • send: We aim to send a full reply to all complaints within 20 working days of the complaint arriving with us.
  • expect: We will keep you informed of the reason for any delay and when you can expect a full reply.
  • post: Be the first to post a Reply to this Thread!
  • leave: Leave a Reply You must be logged in to post a comment.

Adjective modifier

  • substantive: Aylesbury Vale District Council had acknowledged our letter, but had not yet sent a substantive reply.
  • written: Don't rely on written replies: hearing what patients say.
  • quick: Tho it seems at mo Stallman is only just finding time to do quick replies to emails as he is touring.
  • courteous: He had received in reply a courteous reply from the firm, which he he read.
  • detailed: We received 110 detailed replies and are very grateful for the valuable comments and suggestions made.
  • OK: If the SMTP-receiver can accept mail it responds with an OK reply.

Modifies a noun

  • author: Reply author: John Hedges Replied on: 07 Aug 2006 12:40:47 Message: Not squirming at all.
  • slip: At the bottom of that letter was a reply slip for them to send back.
  • subject: JCW Back to top Maddy Posted: Mon Dec 16 2002 05:27 PM - Reply subject: Concerned Wow.

Noun used with modifier

  • xx: Amy xx Reply from: Jemma - 24 Dec 03 Subject: He's wrong!
  • plz: This Sunday there will a very good home game if anyone is interested plz reply!
  • post: Post reply -- London Tuition Wanted Tor 22 Jun Tuition Wanted looking for a English tutor I am a foreign postgraduate student.

Preposition: in

thread: I replied in the thread, reminding him to check on the forum rules about exposure.

Browse dictionary entries near reply

  1. ‹ replicon
  2. ‹ replication
  3. ‹ replicate
  4. ‹ replica
  5. ‹ replevy
  6. ‹ replevin
  7. ‹ repletion
  8. ‹ replete (with)
  9. ‹ replete
  10. ‹ replenish
  1. replying ›
  2. repo ›
  3. repo man ›
  4. repo rate ›
  5. report ›
  6. report card ›
  7. reportable position ›
  8. reportage ›
  9. reported ›
  10. reportedly ›