An″swer, v. i. 1. To speak or write by way of return (originally, to a charge), or in reply; to make response.
There was no voice, nor any that answered.
1 Kings xviii. 26.
2. To make a satisfactory response or return. Hence: To render account, or to be responsible; to be accountable; to make amends; as, the man must answer to his employer for the money intrusted to his care.
Let his neck answer for it, if there is any martial law.
Shak.
3. To be or act in return. Hence: (a) To be or act by way of compliance, fulfillment, reciprocation, or satisfaction; to serve the purpose; as, gypsum answers as a manure on some soils.
Do the strings answer to thy noble hand?
Dryden.
(b) To be opposite, or to act in opposition. (c) To be or act as an equivalent, or as adequate or sufficient; as, a very few will answer. (d) To be or act in conformity, or by way of accommodation, correspondence, relation, or proportion; to conform; to correspond; to suit; — usually with to.
That the time may have all shadow and silence in it, and the place answer to convenience.
Shak.
If this but answer to my just belief,
I 'll remember you.
Shak.
As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man.
Pro�. xxvii. 19.