respond

Everyday

1. To respond means to answer, by speaking or writing. tree →
2. To respond means to react to something by doing something. tree →
3. To respond to treatment means to start getting better. tree →

In the lessons

In class: respond to a question, respond to a story in a reading response. Science: living things respond to their surroundings — plants respond to light, our pupils respond to bright light. Safety: emergency services respond to calls. Phrases: respond to, respond quickly, respond well.

Examples

• Please respond to the email. tree →
• Plants respond to light by growing towards it. tree →
• The firefighters responded to the call in minutes. tree →
• She didn't respond when I called her name. tree →
• The patient is responding well to the medicine. tree →
• How did the character respond to the bad news? tree →
• "Yes, sir," responded Charley, gravely, "dat's so." tree →

Note

Always «respond to» something: «respond to the question», not «respond the question». Noun: response. Responsive = quick to react.

In Jewish tradition

In Hosea it means to answer: God answers the heavens, which answer the earth, which answers the grain, wine and oil, and they answer Jezreel.

Interpretation. Tradition reads this chain as a picture of Israel's renewal, where each part of creation answers the next and all of it comes from God's mercy.

Examples

• And the earth shall respond to the corn, and the wine, and the oil; and they shall respond to Jezreel. (Prophets HOS.2.24, JPS 1917) tree →
• And it shall come to pass in that day, I will respond, saith the LORD, I will respond to the heavens, and they shall respond to the earth; (Prophets HOS.2.23, JPS 1917) tree →
• Ephraim shall say: 'What have I to do any more with idols?' As for Me, I respond and look on him; I am like a leafy cypress-tree; from Me is thy fruit found. (Prophets HOS.14.9, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Always «respond to» something: «respond to the question», not «respond the question». Noun: response. Responsive = quick to react.