What is the meaning of answer?

noun

• A statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation.
  • usage: "I waited several days for his answer"; "he wrote replies to several of his critics"
  • synonyms: reply, response
• A statement that solves a problem or explains how to solve the problem.
  • usage: "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"
  • synonyms: solution, result, resolution, solvent
• The speech act of replying to a question.
• The principal 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.
• A nonverbal reaction.
  • usage: "his answer to any problem was to get drunk"; "their answer was to sue me"

verb

• React verbally.
  • usage: "She didn't want to answer"; "answer the question"; "We answered that we would accept the invitation"
  • synonyms: reply, respond
• Respond to a signal.
  • usage: "answer the door"; "answer the telephone"
• Give the correct answer or solution to.
  • usage: "answer a question"; "answer the riddle"
• Understand the meaning of.
  • usage: "The question concerning the meaning of life cannot be answered"
  • synonyms: resolve
• Give a defence or refutation of (a charge) or in (an argument. )
  • usage: "The defendant answered to all the charges of the prosecution"
• Be liable or accountable.
  • usage: "She must answer for her actions"
• Be sufficient; be adequate, either in quality or quantity.
  • usage: "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"
  • synonyms: suffice, do, serve
• Match or correspond.
  • usage: "The drawing of the suspect answers to the description the victim gave"
• Be satisfactory for; meet the requirements of or serve the purpose of.
  • usage: "This may answer her needs"
• React to a stimulus or command.
  • usage: "The steering of my new car answers to the slightest touch"