replicare, reply, answer, from re-, backward, backward, -plic, to bend, to turn, 語源的には ply, complicate と同じ。
英語の語源
reply
reply: [14] Etymologically, reply means ‘fold back’. It comes ultimately from Latin replicāre ‘fold back, unfold’, a compound verb formed from the prefix re- ‘back’ and plicāre ‘fold’ (source of English ply and related to English fold). This came to be used metaphorically for ‘go over again, repeat’ (whence English replicate [16]), and also as a legal term for ‘respond’. In this latter sense it passed into English via Old French replier. => fold, ply, replicate
reply (v.)
late 14c., "to make an answer," from Old French replier "to reply, turn back," from Late Latin replicare "to reply, repeat," in classical Latin "fold back, fold over, bend back," from re- "back, again" (see re-) + plicare "to fold" (see ply (v.1)). Latin literal sense of "to fold back" is attested from mid-15c. in English but is not now used. Modern French répliquer (Middle French replier) is directly from Late Latin. Related: Replied; replying.
reply (n.)
1550s, from reply (v.).
例文
1. He said in reply that the question was unfair.
彼はこの問題は不公平だと答えた。
2.They went ahead without waiting for a reply from the Germans.
彼らはドイツ人の返事を待たずに前進した。
3.I have received neither an acknowledgement nor a reply .
私は何の返信も受け取っていません。
4.Major 's reply came as a complete surprise to the House of Commons.
メージャーの回答に衆議院はびっくりした。
5.We guarantee to reply in full within 10 working days.