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Figuratively, to do something in return for something done; as, to reply to a signal; to reply to the fire of a battery.

See Replier. Bacon.

s of the papal court whose duty is to make a short minute of a decision on a petition, or reply of the pope to a letter, and afterwards expand the minute into official form.

ention or execution; -- applied to persons and to acts; as, an adroit mechanic, an adroit reply. "Adroit in the application of the telescope and quadrant." Horsley. "He was adroit in intrigue." Macaulay.

To speak in defense against; to reply to in defense; as, to answer a charge; to answer an accusation.

Severity of language; sarcasm; as, the causticity of a reply or remark.

; dismay. The chiefs around, In silence wrapped, in onsternation downed. Attend the stern reply. Pope.

evity; short; rudely concise; as, curt limits; a curt answer. The curt, yet comprehensive reply. W. Irving.

Severe; sarcastic; biting; as, a cutting reply.

murder there were slain . . . fourscore. R. of Gloucester. But question fierce and proud reply Gave signal soon of dire debate. Sir W. Scott.

Solemn, official, or menacing announcement; denunciation. [Archaic] False is the reply of Cain, upon the denouncement of his curse. Sir T. Browne.

r taken down in writting, under oath or affirmation, befor some competent officer, and in reply to interrogatories and cross-interrogatories.

In counterpoint, the imitation of, or reply to, a subject, in notes of half the length or value of those the subject itself.

expect that the troops will be defeated. "Good: I will expect you." Shak. "Expecting thy reply." Shak. The Somersetshire or yellow regiment . . . was expected to arrive on the following day. Macaulay.

Characterized by wit and pleasantry; exciting laughter; as, a facetious story or reply. -- Fa*ce"tious*ly, adv. -- Fa*ce"tious*ness, n.

og flea. See Illustration in Appendix. A flea in the ear, an unwelcome hint or unexpected reply, annoying like a flea; an irritating repulse; as, to put a flea in one's ear; to go away with a flea in one's ear. -- Beach flea, Black flea, etc. See under Beach, etc.

Dexterous; ready; apt; felicitous. One gentleman is happy at a reply, another excels in a in a rejoinder. Swift. Happy family, a collection of animals of different and hostile propensities living peaceably together in one cage. Used ironically of conventional alliances of persons who are in fact mutually repugnant. --…

Witty; shrewd; adroit; keen; sagacious; as, an ingenious reply.

questions; as, to interrogate a witness. Wilt thou, uncalled, interrogate, Talker! the unreplying Fate Emerson.

-- Leading question, a question so framed as to guide the person questioned in making his reply. -- Leading strings, strings by which children are supported when beginning to walk. -- To be in leading strings, to be in a state of infancy or dependence, or under the guidance of others. -- Leading wheel, a wheel situa…