answer English · revision 3506

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=inherited|attested=c. 725 (Beowulf)|origins=gem-pro *andswarō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈɑːn.sə/, US /ˈæn.sɚ/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ The noun is [[inh|enm|answere]], [[inh|ang|andswaru|t=a response, reply]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[gem-pro|*andswarō]],^(Hoad 1986) formed from [[m|ang|and-|t=against]] and -swaru “affirmation”, from [[m|ang|swerian|t=to swear]].^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) The original sense was probably “a sworn statement rebutting a charge”.^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) Its cognates are [[osx|antswōr]], [[ofs|ondser]] and [[non|andsvar]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) The verb is from Old English [[m|ang|andswarian]], from the noun.^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) The prefix goes back to [[ine-pro|*ant-|t=front, forehead]], the source of [[anti-]].^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) Etymonline cites Wedgwood's observation that Latin [[m|la|respondēre]] is formed the same way, from [[m|la|spondēre|t=to engage for, pledge]], while Gothic andawaurd and German [[m|de|Antwort]] mean literally “a word in reply”.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Both noun and verb are in ''Beowulf'', about 725.^(Barnhart 1988) The OED's earliest quotation for the noun as “a reply to a question” is from before 800.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The verb meant “to reply to a charge” in Old English,^(OED 1989)^(SOED 2002) and the noun “a reply to a charge, defence” is recorded from 1340.^(OED 1989) The verb meanings “to correspond, conform” and “to be responsible for” are from the early 13th century, and “to suffer the consequences of” from the late 13th.^(Etymonline) The noun “solution of a problem” is from about 1300 in Etymonline^(Etymonline) and 1592 in the OED.^(OED 1989) “To respond in action, give back in kind” is from the 1570s, and “to solve” from 1742.^(Etymonline) ''Someone's answer to'' something, a local counterpart, is from 1940,^(OED 1989) and ''to know all the answers'' from 1933.^(OED 1989) The ''answering machine'' was so called by 1961.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 725 – noun and verb (''Beowulf'').^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * early 13th century – verb, to correspond; to be responsible.^(Etymonline)

+ * c. 1300 – noun, the solution of a problem.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1340 – noun, a defence against a charge.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1742 – verb, to solve.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1933 – ''know all the answers''.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1940 – ''someone's answer to''.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1961 – ''answering machine''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A spoken or written [[reply]], as to a question.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # A solution to a problem.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # An act done in response or [[retaliation]].^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # ''(law)'' A defendant's defence against charges.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To reply to; to respond to.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # To respond correctly to.^(AHD)

+ # To be accountable: ''answer for''.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # To serve a purpose; to suffice.^(AHD)

+ # To correspond to; to match.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[answerer]]

+ * [[answerless]]

+ * [[answerable]]

+ * [[unanswered]]

+ * [[answer print]]

+ * [[answering machine]]

+ * [[answering service]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[swear]]

+ * [[anti-]]

+ * [[respond]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ The American Heritage Dictionary distinguishes ''answer'', ''respond'' and ''reply'', the most general verbs of response, from ''retort'', a quick or sharp reply.^(AHD) In west Somerset dialect ''answer'' meant “to last, endure”, and in Ireland a fish's bite was an ''answer''.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}