return

re•turn

[[t]rɪˈtɜrn[/t]] v. i.

1) to go or come back, as to a former place, position, or state:

to return from abroad[/ex]

2) to revert to a former owner

3) to revert or recur, as in thought or discourse

4) to make a reply or retort

5) to put, bring, take, give, or send back to the original or proper place, position, etc.:

to return a book to a shelf[/ex]

6) to send or give back in reciprocation, recompense, or requital:

to return evil for good[/ex]

7) to reciprocate, repay, or react to (something sent, done, etc.) with something similar:

to return a favor[/ex]

8) law to render (a verdict, decision, etc.)

9) to give (a statement or a writ of actions done) to a judge or official

10) to reflect (light, sound, etc.)

11) to yield (a profit, revenue, etc.)

12) to report or announce officially

13) to elect or reelect, as to a legislative body

14) to send or hit back, as a served ball in tennis

15) gam Cards. to respond to (a suit led) by a similar lead

16) Chiefly archit. to cause to turn or proceed in a different direction:

to return a molding[/ex]

17) the act or fact of returning, as by going or coming back or bringing, sending, or giving back

18) a recurrence

19) reciprocation, repayment, or requital:

profits in return for outlay[/ex]

20) response or reply

21) the gain realized on an exchange of goods

22) Often, returns. a yield or profit, as from labor or investment

23) acc.

Also called tax return a statement on an official form showing income, deductions, exemptions, and taxes due.

24) gov Usu., returns. an official or unofficial report on a count of votes, candidates elected, etc.:

election returns[/ex]

25) archit.

a) the continuation of a molding, projection, etc., in a different direction

b) a side or part that falls away from the front of any straight or flat member or area

26) spo Sports.

a) the act of returning a ball

b) the ball that is returned

c) (in football) a runback

27) law Law.

a) the sending back of a writ, summons, etc., with a brief report endorsed on it, by a sheriff to the court that issued it

b) a certified document by an assessor, election official, etc

c) the report contained in such a document

28) gam Cards. a lead that responds to a partner's lead

29) returns

a) merchandise shipped back to a supplier from a retailer or distributor as unsold

b) merchandise returned to a retailer by a consumer

30) of or pertaining to a return or returning

31) sent, given, or done in return

32) done or occurring again:

a return engagement of the opera[/ex]

33) noting a person or thing that is returned or returning to a place:

return cargo[/ex]

34) changing in direction; doubling or returning on itself:

a return twist in a road[/ex]

35) bui used for returning, recirculating, etc.:

the return road[/ex]

36) played in order to provide the loser of an earlier game with the opportunity to win from the same opponent

37) adequate, necessary, or provided to enable the return of mail to its sender:

a return envelope[/ex]

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Etymology: 1275–1325; (v.) retornen < MF retorner, OF; (n.) < AF retorn, der. of OF retorner