answer
     n 1: a statement (either spoken or written) that is made in reply
          to a question or request or criticism or accusation; "I
          waited several days for his answer"; "he wrote replies
          to several of his critics" [syn: {reply}, {response}]
     2: a statement that solves a problem or explains how to solve
        the problem; "they were trying to find a peaceful
        solution"; "the answers were in the back of the book"; "he
        computed the result to four decimal places" [syn: {solution},
         {result}, {resolution}, {solvent}]
     3: the speech act of replying to a question [ant: {question}]
     4: the principle pleading by the defendant in response to
        plaintiff's complaint; in criminal law it consists of the
        defendant's plea of `guilty' or `not guilty' (or nolo
        contendere); in civil law it must contain denials of all
        allegations in the plaintiff's complaint that the
        defendant hopes to controvert and it can contain
        affirmative defenses or counterclaims
     5: a nonverbal reaction; "his answer to any problem was to get
        drunk"; "their answer was to sue me"
     v 1: reply or respond to; "She didn't want to answer"; "answer
          the question"; "We answered that we would accept the
          invitation" [syn: {reply}, {respond}]
     2: give the correct answer or solution to; "answer a question";
        "answer the riddle"
     3: respond to a signal; "answer the door"; "answer the
        telephone"
     4: understand the meaning of; "The question concerning the
        meaning of life cannot be answered" [syn: {resolve}]
     5: give a defence or refutation of (a charge) or in (an
        argument); "The defendant answered to all the charges of
        the prosecution"
     6: be liable or accountable; "She must answer for her actions"
     7: be sufficient; be adequate, either in quality or quantity;
        "A few words would answer"; "This car suits my purpose
        well"; "Will $100 do?"; "A 'B' grade doesn't suffice to
        get me into medical school"; "Nothing else will serve"
        [syn: {suffice}, {do}, {serve}]
     8: match or correspond; "The drawing of the suspect answers to
        the description the victim gave"
     9: be satisfactory for; meet the requirements of or serve the
        purpose of; "This may answer her needs"
     10: react to a stimulus or command; "The steering of my new car
         answers to the slightest touch"
Source: WordNet® 2.0