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n. 1. The act of responding. 2. A reply or an answer. 3. A reaction, as that of an organism or a mechanism, to a specific stimulus: a microphone's response to certain frequencies; response by the immune system to a pathogen. 4. a. Ecclesiastical Something that is spoken or sung by a congregation or choir in answer to the officiating minister or priest. b. A responsory. [Middle English respons, from Old French, from Latin respōnsum, from neuter past participle of respondēre, to respond; see RESPOND.] |
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