ANSWER (derived from and, against, and the same

See also:

• ROOT (late O.E. rot, adopted from Scand., cf. Norw. and Swed. rot, Dan. rod; the true O.E. word was wyrt, plant, represented in Ger. Wurz or Wurzel; the ultimate root is the same in both words, and is seen in Lat. radix)
• ROOT, ELIHU (1845– )

root as swear)  , originally a solemn assertion in opposition to some one or something, and thus generally any counter-statement or defence, a reply to a question or objection, or a correct solution of a problem . In English law, the " answer " in pleadings was, previous to the Judicature Acts 1873-1875, the statement of defence, especially as regards the facts and not the law . Its place is now taken by a " statement of defence." " Answer " is the term still applied in divorce proceedings to the reply of the respondent (see PLEADING) . The famous Latin ResponsaPrudentum (" answers of the learned") were the accumulated views of many successive generations of Roman lawyers, a body of legal opinion which gradually became authoritative . In music a n " answer " is the technical name in counterpoint for the repetition by one part or instrument of a theme proposed by another .