Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
REPLY
I. verb (replied; replying) see: ply
Date: 14th century
intransitive verb
1. to respond in words or writing, echo , resound , to make a legal replication, to do something in response, transitive verb to give as an answer, replier noun
II. noun (plural replies)
Date: 1560
something said, written, or done in answer or response, replication 1b(2), see: answer