King James Bible Dictionary

REPLY', verb intransitive [Latin replico; re and plico, to fold, that is, to turn or send to. See apply, Employ and Ply.]

1. To answer; to make a return in words or writing to something said or written by another.

O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Romans 9:1.

2. In law, to answer a defendant's plea. The defendant pleads in bar to the plaintiff's declaration; the plaintiff replies to the defendant's plea in bar.

REPLY', verb transitive To return for an answer. He knows not what to reply

REPLY', noun

1. An answer; that which is said or written in answer to what is said or written by another.

2. A book or pamphlet written in answer to another.

REPLY'ING, participle present tense Answering either in words or writing.