return
return definition
re·turn (ri tʉrn′)
intransitive verb
- to go or come back, as to a former place, condition, practice, opinion, etc.
- to go back in thought or speech to return to the subject
- to revert to a former owner
- to answer; reply; retort
transitive verb
- to bring, send, carry, or put back; restore or replace
- to give, send, or do (something equivalent to what has been given, sent, or done); give, send, or do in requital or reciprocation to return a visit, compliment, etc.
- to produce (a profit, revenue, etc.); yield
- to report or announce officially or formally
- to turn in (a writ, account, or statement) to a judge or other official
- to elect or reelect, as to a legislature
- to replace (a weapon) in its holder
- to turn back or in the opposite direction
- to reflect (sound, light, etc.)
- Archit. to turn away from, or cause to continue on at an angle to, the previous line of direction
- Card Games to respond to (one's partner's lead) with a lead of the same suit
- Law to render (a verdict)
- Sports to hit, throw, or run back (a ball)
noun
- a coming or going back, as to a former place, condition, etc.
- a bringing, sending, carrying, or putting back; restoration or replacement
- something returned
- unsold merchandise returned to the distributor by a retailer or merchandise returned to a retailer by a purchaser
- a coming back again; reappearance; recurrence many happy returns of the day
- something done or given as an equivalent for that received; repayment; requital; reciprocation
- profit made on an exchange of goods
- yield, profit, or revenue, as from labor, investments, etc.
- yield per unit as compared to cost per unit; rate of yield
- an answer; reply; retort
- a report; esp.,
- an official or formal report, as of the financial condition of a company
- a report on a count of votes at polling places election returns
- a form on which taxable income is reported and tax is computedin full (income) tax return
- Archit.
- the continuation, as of a molding, colonnade, etc., in a different direction, often at a right angle
- a bend or turn, as in a line, wall, etc.
- the section between two such bends
- Card Games a lead in response to one's partner's lead
- Law
- the bringing or sending back of a writ, subpoena, summons, etc. to the proper court or official
- a certified report by an election official, assessor, etc.
- a certificate or report endorsed on any such document
- Sports
- a hitting or throwing back of a ball
- a ball so returned
- a running back of a football received on a kick or by an interception
Etymology: ME retorn < the v.
adjective
- of or for a return or returning return postage
- given, sent, done, etc. in return a return match
- occurring again a return performance
- returning or returned
- changing or reversing direction or formed by a change or reversal in direction, as a bend in a road
Related Forms:
- returner re·turn′er noun
return Idioms
in return
as a return; as an equivalent, response, etc.
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