Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Reply \Re*ply"\ (r?-pl?"), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Replied}
   (-pl?d"); p. pr. & vb. n. {Replying}.] [OE. replien, OF.
   replier, F. r['e]pliquer, fr. L. replicare to fold back, make
   a reply; pref. re- re- + plicare to fold. See {Ply}, and cf.
   {Replica}.]
   1. To make a return in words or writing; to respond; to
      answer.

            O man, who art thou that repliest against God?
                                                  --Rom. ix. 20.

   2. (Law) To answer a defendant's plea.

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

   Syn: To answer; respond; rejoin.

Reply \Re*ply"\, v. t.
   To return for an answer. --Milton.

         Lords, vouchsafe To give me hearing what I shall reply.
                                                  --Shak.

Reply \Re*ply"\, n.; pl. {Replies} (-pl?z"). [See {Reply}, v.
   i., and cf. {Replica}.]
   That which is said, written, or done in answer to what is
   said, written, or done by another; an answer; a response.

   Syn: Answer; rejoinder; response.

   Usage: {Reply}, {Rejoinder}, {Answer}. A reply is a distinct
          response to a formal question or attack in speech or
          writing. A rejoinder is a second reply (a reply to a
          reply) in a protracted discussion or controversy. The
          word answer is used in two senses, namely (1), in the
          most general sense of a mere response; as, the answer
          to a question; or (2), in the sense of a decisive and
          satisfactory confutation of an adversary's argument,
          as when we speak of a triumphant answer to the speech
          or accusations of an opponent. Here the noun
          corresponds to a frequent use of the verb, as when we
          say. ``This will answer (i.e., fully meet) the end in
          view;'' ``It answers the purpose.''

Source : WordNet®

reply
     n 1: a statement (either spoken or written) that is made in reply
          to a question or request or criticism or accusation; "I
          waited several days for his answer"; "he wrote replies
          to several of his critics" [syn: {answer}, {response}]
     2: the speech act of continuing a conversational exchange; "he
        growled his reply" [syn: {response}]
     [also: {replied}]

reply
     v : reply or respond to; "She didn't want to answer"; "answer
         the question"; "We answered that we would accept the
         invitation" [syn: {answer}, {respond}]
     [also: {replied}]

Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

reply
     
        See {followup}.