2. To speak or write in return to, as in return to a call or
question, or to a speech, declaration, argument, or the
like; to reply to (a question, remark, etc.); to respond
to.
She answers him as if she knew his mind. --Shak.
So spake the apostate angel, though in pain: . . .
And him thus answered soon his bold compeer.
--Milton.
3. To respond to satisfactorily; to meet successfully by way
of explanation, argument, or justification, and the like;
to refute.
No man was able to answer him a word. --Matt. xxii.
46.
These shifts refuted, answer thine appellant.
--Milton.
The reasoning was not and could not be answered.
--Macaulay.
4. To be or act in return or response to. Hence:
(a) To be or act in compliance with, in fulfillment or
satisfaction of, as an order, obligation, demand; as,
he answered my claim upon him; the servant answered
the bell.
This proud king . . . studies day and night To
answer all the debts he owes unto you. --Shak.
(b) To render account to or for.
I will . . . send him to answer thee. --Shak.
(c) To atone; to be punished for.
And grievously hath C[ae]zar answered it.
--Shak.
(d) To be opposite to; to face.
The windows answering each other, we could just
discern the glowing horizon them. --Gilpin.
(e) To be or act an equivalent to, or as adequate or
sufficient for; to serve for; to repay. [R.]
Money answereth all things. --Eccles. x.
19.
(f) To be or act in accommodation, conformity, relation,
or proportion to; to correspond to; to suit.
Weapons must needs be dangerous things, if they
answered the bulk of so prodigious a person.
--Swift.