Response \Re*sponse"\ (r?*sp?ns"), n. [OF. response, respons, F. r['e]ponse, from L. responsum, from respondere. See Respond.]

1. The act of responding.

2. An answer or reply. Specifically:
   (a) Reply to an objection in formal disputation. --I. Watts.
   (b) (Eccl.) The answer of the people or congregation to the priest or clergyman, in the litany and other parts of divine service.
   (c) (R.C.Ch.) A kind of anthem sung after the lessons of matins and some other parts of the office.
   (d) (Mus.) A repetition of the given subject in a fugue by another part on the fifth above or fourth below. --Busby.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)