answer-v; 4 Senses

Sense Number 1: reply verbally or in writing to a question, comment, letter, or speech

Commentary:
NOTE: includes answering to charges in court. NP1[that which supplies response] ANSWER NP2[stimulus] NP1[that which supplies response] ANSWER COMP[reply]

Examples:
He answered with a stinging rebuttal.
Will you answer my question?
I wrote asking whether he'd be coming to the party but he hasn't answered yet.
She answered that she wouldn't be able to come before nine o'clock.
The question concerning the meaning of life cannot be answered.
In its letter, the Office answers positively to the appeal sent by
the organizers.
The defendant answered to all the charges of the prosecution.
I answered to the charges in such a manner as to convince the
Committee of our innocence.

Mappings:
VerbNet: NP
FrameNet: Communication_response
PropBank: answer.01
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 1, 3, 4, 5

Sense Number 2: react, or respond to a call, command, or stimulus

Commentary: NP1[that which supplies response] ANSWER NP2[stimulus] PP[instrument] NP1[that which supplies response] ANSWER PP[stimulus]

Examples:
She answered my questioning look with a sigh.
Someone's at the door. Would you answer it please?
I phoned last night but nobody answered.
Does anyone here answer to the name of Wallis?
The steering of my new car answers to the slightest touch.

Mappings:
VerbNet: NP
FrameNet: Communication_response
PropBank: answer.01
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 2, 10

Sense Number 3: address, satisfy, or fulfill a need or criterion

Examples:
This does not answer to the drug problem in our cities.
Her arrival answered our need for an experienced radiologist.
An upturned box that answers for a seat.
A few words would answer.
My presentation most effectively answered the requirements laid out in the call for entries.
The drawing of the suspect answers to the description the victim gave.
A woman who answers to the suspect's description surfaced in another state.

Mappings:
VerbNet: NP
FrameNet: Communication_response
PropBank: answer.01
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 7, 8, 9

Sense Number 4: be accountable, responsible (for an action/to someone)

Examples:
She must answer for her actions.
I expect parents to answer for their children's behaviour.
Violence on television has a lot to answer for the violence in
schools.
The great thing about working for yourself is that you don't have
to answer to anyone.
They will eventually have to answer to the King.
The Head of the Research Academy answer to the authorities
empowered to make grants.

Mappings:
VerbNet: NP
FrameNet: NM
PropBank: NM
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 6
WordNet Verb Particle Constructions, Multiword Expressions:
answer_for 1