| 释义 |
▪ I. return, n.|rɪˈtɜːn|
Also 4–7 retorn, 5–6 retorne; 4 retourn, 5–7 retourne, returne.
[a. AF. retorn, retourn, return, vbl. n. f. retorner, etc.: see next. Cf. Sp. and Pg. retorno, It. ritorno, and F. retourne fem.]
I.
1. a. The act of coming back to or from a place, person, or condition. † to make return, to return, to come back.
1390Gower Conf. III. 230 So were thei for everemo Of no retorn withoute espeir Departed fro the rihtfull heir. 1413Pilgr. Sowle (Caxton, 1483) v. xiii. 104 The seconde retorne was fro dethe to the lyf,..the thyrdde retourne was fro erthe in to heuene. c1489Caxton Blanchardyn xlvi. 177 Prayeng humbly that a goode retorne & a shorte he myght make. a1533Ld. Berners Huon lxvi. 226, I wyl leue it here with you to kepe tyll my retourne. 1588J. Mellis Briefe Instr. F vij, Note that yee register as well the day you send your letters, as the returne of them. 1626Bacon New Atl. (1900) 15 Wee never heard tell..of any Shipp..that had made returne from them. 167012th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. V. 15 Uppon the King's returne from his recreations att Newmarkett. 1725N. Robinson Th. Physick 161 The Languidness of the Blood's Motion in its Return from nourishing the Body. 1760–72H. Brooke Fool of Qual. (1809) III. 147 When our company were on the return to their lodgings. 1845Pattison Ess. (1889) I. 24 Immediately on my return to Rouen, I put one of the packages into the hands of the servants. 1874Green Short Hist. viii. §3. 479 His return was the signal for a burst of national joy.
pl.1513Douglas æneis v. x. 69 Sindry coursis and returnis maid thai. 1612–24Capt. Smith's Wks. (Arb.) 429 In our returnes we visited all our friends. 1686tr. Chardin's Trav. Persia 110 It was late, and the Vessels rid about a mile from the shoar; nor could they make above two Returns. 1721Bradley Philos. Acc. Wks. Nat. 15 They may probably be assisted in their Vegetation by the frequent Returns of the Sea Water.
b. spec. in Theol. = Parousia.
1914J. F. Silver (title) The Lord's return seen in history and in Scripture as premillennial and imminent. 1931W. Montgomery tr. A. Schweitzer's Mysticism of Paul vi. 111 Since a time-interval has been interposed between the Resurrection and Return, the Resurrection of Jesus has become an independent event. 1970J. L. Houlden Paul's Lett. from Prison 107 Saviour: Paul's only use of this as a title for Christ. It refers to him in his role at his final return. 1977G. W. H. Lampe God as Spirit vi. 171 We can, perhaps, retain the idea of a visible parousia: not in the impossible sense of a personal return of Jesus from a heavenly throne, but in the form of the consummation of God's creation of mankind.
†c. coach of return, a return vehicle. Obs.—1
1617Moryson Itin. i. 7 If a man goe thence to Luneburg, he may easily light on a coach of returne at a lesse rate.
d. In phr. by († the) return, by return of († the) post. (See post n.2 8 c.) Also as adj. phr.
1642Fuller Holy & Prof. St. v. xviii. 14 And, by the next return, the news would be, that it was fallen off. 1753Hanway Trav. (1762) I. vii. xcii. 422 By the return of the post he may expect an answer. 1812in Col. Hawker Diary (1893) I. 56 You may answer letters by return of post. 1837Dickens Let. 22 Feb. (1965) I. 237 The best plan therefore, will be for you to write me by return. 1885Bookseller July 650/2, I wrote to the publisher, and had the book sent to me by return. 1889E. Dowson Let. 18 Feb. (1967) 37 Tell me..by return of post if possible what will have happened when I am next to resume the story. 1905Joyce Let. ? 18 Aug. (1966) II. 105, I send you by this post A Painful Case which you are to copy and send back by return of post. 1949N. Mitford Love in Cold Climate i. ii. 20 She always answered letters by return of post. 1957Practical Wireless XXXIII. 509/1 A by-return service of all types and sizes. 1981J. Stubbs Ironmaster i. 21 They say now that we shall have letters ‘by return of Post’, meaning that we write today and receive a reply..the day after tomorrow.
e. A signal for return. rare—1.
1835Lytton Rienzi i. i, What ho, there—‘sound a return’!
f. ellipt. A return-ticket. (Now common.) Also attrib. (passing into adj.), and in day-return (= day-ticket s.v. day n. 24).
1868Routledge's Ev. Boy's Ann. 250, I just arrived in time to catch the train, and took a return for C—. 1905E. M. Forster Where Angels fear to Tread vi. 164 It was an irritable couple who took tickets to Monteriano. ‘Singles or returns?’ said he. a1911D. G. Phillips Susan Lenox (1917) I. viii. 126 He had the return half of his own ticket. 1924D. Moore Fen's First Term ix. 93 ‘Third single, please.’ ‘Return?’ inquired the clerk. 1931D. L. Sayers Five Red Herrings iii. 41 He had taken a first-class return to Glasgow. 1952‘J. Tey’ Singing Sands iv. 63 ‘So he had a return ticket.’ ‘Yes. The return half was in his wallet.’ 1973D. Lang Freaks 41, I went down there for a visit on a cheap day-return. 1975‘A. York’ Dark Passage (1976) vii. 88 I'll be back tomorrow, I should think. But make the return half of the ticket open, will you? 1977S. Brett Star Trap xv. 167 The man didn't stop to buy a ticket. He must have a return.
g. ellipt. (See quots.)
1883Gresley Gloss. Coal Mining 202 Return, the air⁓course along which the vitiated air of the mine is returned or conducted back to the upcast shaft. 1894Lab. Commission Gloss., Returns, an abbreviation for return airways, i.e., the passages through which the air passes to the upcast shaft.
h. and return, and back again.
1887C. B. George Forty Years on Rail v. 88 The train..ran from Waukegan to Chicago and return every day.
i. return to nature, the abandonment of urban life in favour of rustic simplicity.
1902Chesterton Twelve Types 142 Some think that the return to nature consists in drinking no wine; some think that it consists in drinking a great deal more than is good for them. 1908E. J. Banfield Confessions of Beachcomber i. ii. 54 The conviction that the career of the Beachcomber, the closest possible ‘return to Nature’ now popularly advocated, has charms none other possesses. c1914Wyndham Lewis Let. (1963) 65, I might devote two or three words..to scouring the ‘banal’ nakedness of various ‘Return to Nature’ shits. 1978Times 3 Oct. 14/3 This is not a plea for the simple life, a return to nature, or a general rising against the machines.
2. a. The fact of (a certain time or thing) recurring or coming round again; † a spell of some action.
1589Greene Menaphon (Arb.) 30 The hope of times returne shal be the ende of my thoughts. 1611Bible 1 Kings xx. 22 At the returne of the yeere, the king of Syria will come vp against thee. a1706Evelyn Hist. Relig. (1850) I. 26 Contemplate we the periodical returns of the equinoxes and solstices. 1709Pope Ess. Crit. 349 While they ring round the same unvary'd chimes With sure returns of still-expected rhymes. 1763J. Brown Poetry & Mus. iii. 35 The Dance is composed of several Returns: Each Return lasts till the Dancers are out of Breath. 1855Hopkins Organ 209 A ‘return’ or ‘repeat’ is caused in the series of Pedal sounds. Ibid., The..‘return’ that takes place on the half-octave of keys below. 1887Banister Mus. Anal. i. 5 The third part of the movement..is the Recapitulation indicated by the return of the (first) Subject.
b. In phr. to wish (one) many (happy) returns of the day, or variations of this. See also happy a. 3.
1779Johnson Let. to Mrs. Aston 2 Jan., Now the new year is come, of which I wish you and dear Mrs. Gastrel many and many returns. 1821Lamb Elia Ser. i. All Fools' Day, Many happy returns of this day to you. 1846Dickens Battle of Life i, The notion of wishing happy returns in such a farce as this..is good! 1870― E. Drood ii, We must drink Many happy returns to her.
3. The recurrence or renewal of some condition; esp. a recrudescence or renewed attack of illness or indisposition.
1648Duncon (title), The Retvrns of Spiritual comfort and grief in a Devout Soul. Represented by entercourse of Letters to..Ladie..Falkland. 1682Sir T. Browne Chr. Mor. ii. xi, To continue us in goodness there must be iterated returns of misery. 1694Luttrell Brief Rel. (1857) III. 403 The King had yesterday some returns of his ague. 1719De Foe Crusoe ii. (Globe) 320 Like the Returns of a violent Distemper, [it] came on with an irresistible Force. 1797Monthly Mag. III. 23 It was the return of the frost that did all the mischief. 1840Miss Mitford in L'Estrange Life (1870) III. vii. 108, I am better, but have had two or three returns of sickness. 1879G. C. Harlan Eyesight vi. 69 Old people who have been using glasses..are sometimes surprised by a return of the ability to read without them.
II.
4. A side or part which falls away, usually at right angles, from the front or direct line of any work or structure. a. In cornices, pilasters, windows, etc.
1450Script. Tres (Surtees) p. cccxxv, Pro factura,..retournes, corbels, transowms. 1665J. Webb Stone-Heng (1725) 88 The Pylasters were by the Tool and Mallet wrought, as the Rabbets yet remaining, or Returns in some of them plainly shew. c1691in Willis & Clark Cambridge (1886) I. 421 Cutting a hole in the wall..to show the returne of the Cornish. 1724Chambers Le Clerc's Arch. Pl. 24 Continued Pedestal with Returns or Interruptions in its Projecture. 1825J. Nicholson Operat. Mechanic 616 Internal and external mitres, and small returns, or breaks, are afterwards modelled and filled up by hand. 1859Ruskin Perspective ix. 106 The lines which regulate the inner sides or returns of the windows..are drawn to the vanishing-point.
b. In appendages to, or minor parts of, buildings, walls, or other structures.
1463Bury Wills (Camden) 15 My body to be beryed by the awter of Seynt Martyn..vnder the percloos of the retourne of the candilbeem. 1718S. Sewall Diary 23 Feb., The Return of the Gallery where Mr. Franklin sat was a place very Convenient for it. 1772C. Hutton Bridges 87 They [sc. abutments] must be well reinforced with proper walls or returns. 1834–47J. S. Macaulay Field Fortif. 216 Open..a branch gallery, which must be driven to the centre of the wall; then make two perpendicular returns to this branch. 1897F. J. Burgoyne Library Constr. 218 A counter with returns running across it.
c. A wing or side of a building; † a side-street.
1625Bacon Ess., Building (Arb.) 549, I vnderstand both these Sides to be not onely Returnes, but Parts of the Front. 1669in Willis & Clark Cambridge (1886) II. 557 The said Building..to have two wings or retournes, each wing or retourne..in length fifty and two foot. 1756C. Lucas Ess. Waters II. 104 Cheltenham is a village..with a very few returns and lanes or adjoining houses. 1814Reg. Park 28 Keeping free the terminations of the streets and the returns of the houses. 1839Civil Eng. & Arch. Jrnl. II. 249/1 Architects often fail from the poverty and meagreness of the masses and returns. They compose their buildings out of screens and facades.
5. a. A bend or turn (in a line, etc.); a portion extending between two bends (see quot. 1859).
1655Marquis of Worcester Cent. Inv. §3 A Cypher and Character so contrived that one line, without returns and circumflexes, stands for each and every of the 24 Letters. 1731Phil. Trans. XXXVII. 29 We then put up a Line that was 666 Feet in Length, by eight Returns. 1859F. A. Griffiths Artil. Man. (1862) 107 Each separate part of the fall contained between two blocks, or between either extremity and a block, is called ‘a return of the fall’. 1892Spon's Workshop Rec. Ser. v. 379/1 To prevent..twisting, a bar is some⁓times placed through a part of the blocks, or at right angles to the ‘returns’ close to the block.
†b. A bend, turn, or winding in a stream, trench, gallery, etc. Obs.
1681J. Chetham Angler's Vade-m. x. §1 Sometimes in the Eddies betwixt two Streams and in the Returns of a stream he lies. 1702–11Mil. & Sea Dict., Returns of the Trench, the several Bendings and Oblique Lines of the Trenches, drawn in some measure parallel to the sides of the Place attack'd. 1727–38Chambers Cycl. s.v. Trench, This carrying of the trenches obliquely, they call carrying them by coudees, or returns. 1802James Milit. Dict. s.v., Returns of a mine, are the turnings and windings of the gallery leading to the mine. Ibid., These returns, when followed, make a long way from the end of the trench to the head.
6. a. A consignment or cargo, an aggregate or class of commodities, which comes back (to one) in exchange for merchandise sent out as a trading venture; the value or profits represented by this; also (Canad.) pl. (see quot. 1963). (Now Hist. and merged in next sense.)
1543–4Act 35 Hen. VIII, c. 7 §1 The sayde venturers..abyde a greate tyme before they can haue any returne to their aduantage of their aduenture, to theyr great werines. 1614Raleigh Hist. World ii. (1634) 419 He had also six rich Returnes from the East India, which greatly increased his Store. 1663Gerbier Counsel 109 A very gainfull returne of Amber Greese and vendible commodities in exchange of Iron Tools. 1717Bolingbroke Let. to Windham (1889) 23 The merchant who brought riches home by the returns of foreign trade. 1758Binnell Descr. Thames 13 How abounding in its Merchandize! And how immensely rich in its Produce or Returns! 1809A. Henry Trav. & Adventures Canad. i. iv. 40 Here, the returns, in furs, are collected, and embarked for Montréal. 1843R. Campbell Jrnl. 10 June in C. Wilson Campbell of Yukon (1970) viii. 68 As soon as the river opened, Whitford left with a boat & crew and the returns for Fort Simpson. 1855Prescott Philip II, i. viii. (1857) 139 Forced loans were exacted from individuals, especially from such as were known to have received large returns by the late arrivals from the New World. 1908C. Mair Through Mackenzie Basin 183 There was still much work to be done in the way of transport of outfit and returns between Anderson and Fort Good Hope. 1963G. S. McTavish Behind Palisades xx. 84 ‘Returns’..was the generic name for furs, and all trade results which were returned to the Old Country in exchange. 1971Alberta Hist. Rev. Autumn 9 During the next few years he..visited the posts and carried the returns down⁓river to St. Louis.
fig.1647N. Bacon Disc. Govt. Eng. i. vi. (1739) 14 Their merchandise was made of the Policies and Councils of all Kingdoms and States, and such returns proceeded as were still subservient to the Roman interest. 1747Chesterfield Lett. cxix. (1792) I. 322 Pain and shame, instead of pleasure, are the returns of their voyage.
b. Pecuniary value resulting to one from the exercise of some trade or occupation; gain, profit, or income, in relation to the means by which it is produced; also (in pl.), proceeds, results. return on capital, gain, profit, or income earned by capital (see also quot. 1970).
Various other phrases, e.g. return for capital, return to capital, and return to invested capital were used from the late nineteenth century onward.
1691Locke Lowering Interest, etc. Wks. 1714 II. 9 If the Merchant's Return be more than his Vse, (which 'tis certain it is, or else he will not Trade). 1776Adam Smith W.N. ii. v. (1869) I. 373 The returns of the foreign trade of consumption are very seldom so quick as those of the home trade. 1804T. Thornton Sporting Tour (1896) 83 Returns of the day: six snipes and one duck. 1833H. Martineau Manch. Strike v. 58 Your wages consist of the proportion you receive of the return brought by the article you manufacture. 1883Law Times 20 Oct. 410/1 The Profession will always afford at least a sufficient return to the really competent man. 1938W. L. Crum in Harvard Business Rev. XVI. 336 The return on invested capital is one of the most significant..among possible measures of corporate performance. No entirely satisfactory determination of the average rate of return on invested capital..can be made, but data accumulated over recent years..enable us to prepare a fairly close estimate. 1962A. Battersby Guide to Stock Control x. 94 ‘Return on capital’ has been used in this book as a concise description of the cost of holding stocks, for two principal reasons—it is often the predominant cost and the most readily variable. 1969J. Argenti Managem. Techniques 102 Confusion over the term ‘Return on Capital’ is considerable since this can have either the traditional meaning or the DCF meaning and there is no fixed relationship between these two figures. 1970M. Greener Penguin Dict. Commerce 285 Return on capital, a rather nebulous phrase. In the terminology of investment analysis and accounting it means the profit earned by capital... In company accounts return on capital is often the ratio that the profit bears to the total equity funds or shareholders' funds employed... The phrase ‘return on capital’ is frequently used when what is really meant is dividend yield or earnings yield.
fig.1650Jer. Taylor Holy Living i. Introd., From the few hours we spend in prayer..the return is great and profitable. 1748Gray Alliance 34 The soft returns of Gratitude they know.
c. The fact of bringing value in exchange.
1753Scots Mag. July 325/2 What maketh rich, is a small profit and a quick return. 1822Lamb Elia i. Distant Correspondents, This sort of merchandise above all requires a quick return. A pun, and its recognitory laugh, must be co-instantaneous.
7. Muslim Law: (see quot. 1825).
1825Macnaghten Mooham. Law 23 The return is where there being no residuaries, the surplus, after the distribution of the shares, returns to the sharers. 1895Sir R. K. Wilson Digest Anglo-Muham. Law viii. §238. 201 The wife or husband of the deceased has no share in the Return as against ‘Distant Kindred’.
III. 8. a. The act, on the part of a sheriff, of sending back a writ to the court from which it issued, together with a statement of how far he had been able to carry out its instructions; hence, the report of a sheriff upon any writ directed to him. Also pl., forms for making such reports (quot. 1620).
1429Rolls of Parlt. IV. 346/1 Touching the retourne, servise, and alle executions of the Writtes, Processe and Juggementz, in and of the saide actions. 1458Coventry Leet Bk. (E.E.T.S.) 303 Þat the shirrifs of þis Citie from hensfurth fauour all maner persones of þis Citie in makyng their returnes as ferre as they goodely may savyng theym self. 1542–3Act 34 & 35 Hen. VIII, c. 27 §79 The shirefe shall haue for the retourne of euery such byll foure pence. 1581Lambarde Eiren. ii. ii. (1588) 116 Then must the Iustice of the Peace..make retourne of the Writ. 1620J. Wilkinson Coroners & Sherifes 56 You shal find in this booke good retorns for all maner of writs now in use,..and also apt retorns of all your Exchequer proces. 1655Fuller Ch. Hist. ix. x. 184 Any person whom (in discretion) they suspected to have dealt lewdly, about any Writ, Returne, entrie of Rule, pleading, or any such like Matter. 1712Arbuthnot John Bull i. xi, Fees..for Enrollings, Exemplifications, Bails, Vouchers, Returns. 1810Bentham Packing (1821) 161 The sheriff was and is the person, by whom, in all cases, what is called the return, was and is made. 1884Law Rep. 25 Chanc. Div. 341 The sheriff..made a return of nulla bona to the writ of fi. fa.
b. day of (the) return, = return day. Also with ellipse of day.
1455Rolls of Parlt. V. 336/1 Yf at eny of the seid daies of retourne, it be retourned by the seid Shireffes. 1472Ibid. VI. 52/1 At the day and daies of the retourne conteyned in the same Writte and Writtes. 1531Dial. on Laws Eng. ii. iii. 8 So longe daye of returne that fyue counties myghte be holden before the returne therof. 1702Modern Cases (1716) 59 He coming in upon a Habeas Corpus, and pleading to the Writ, at the Day of the Retorn of it, the Court could not deny his Plea. 1768Blackstone Comm. III. 275 The day..on which the sheriff is to bring in the writ and report how far he has obeyed it, is called the return of the writ.
c. ellipt. (See quots.)
1577Harrison England in Holinshed (1587) I. 181 A perfect rule to know the beginning and ending of euerie terme, with their returnes. 1607Cowell Interpr. s.v., Hilary terme is said to haue 4 returnes,..and Easter terme to haue 5 returnes. 1669Sturmy Mariner's Mag. ii. 101 Each of these Terms hath several Returns, and each Return hath four Days belonging to it. 1684Spelman's Law Terms §ii. 6 The Eight days wherein the Court of the Exchequer sits,..are to be accounted as parts of the Terms, for that they fall within the first Return. 1830Act 1 Will. IV c. 70 §6 In Easter Term there shall be but four Returns instead of five.
9. a. The official report made by a returning officer (originally the sheriff) as to the election of a member or members of Parliament; hence, the fact of being elected to sit in Parliament.
† double return, the fact of two or more candidates being provisionally returned.
1459Rolls of Parlt. V. 367/1 For eny maner elections of Knyghtes,..and for Retournes of the same, and for almaner Retournes of Citezeyns and Burgeyses in their severall Shires, for this present Parlement.
1698Luttrell Brief Rel. (1857) IV. 409 Elections since my last{ddd}Weobley, Mr. Price, Mr. Thomas Foley, and Mr. Birch, it being a double return. 1736Gentl. Mag. VI. 437/2 A Petition..complaining of an undue Election and Return for the said County, was presented to the House. 1769Burke Late St. Nat. Wks. II. 140 How will this great politician preserve the rights of electors, the fairness of returns..? It would..be a glorious sight to have eight or ten petitions or double returns [etc.]. 1789Constit. U.S. i. §5 Each house shall be the judge of the elections, returns, and qualifications of its own members. 1827Hallam Const. Hist. xvi. (1876) III. 273 The house of Commons had an undoubted right of determining all disputed returns to the writ of election. 1853Lytton My Novel i. x, Having procured Audley's return to Parliament. Ibid. xi. v, Audley Egerton had no chance of return for his own seat. 1863H. Cox Instit. i. viii. 114 The return is made by indenture, which names the persons chosen, is signed and sealed, and returned to the Crown office in Chancery, tacked to the writ itself.
†b. A response to a demand; a reply to a letter or dispatch. Obs.
1640in Rushw. Hist. Coll. (1692) I. iii. 45 The King's Remembrancer..shall make a Certificate of the last Subsidy, as it was Assessed upon the several Counties,..and to Certifie the Returns of every County. 1652Needham tr. Selden's Mare Cl. 471 In a letter of the said Ambassador..wee find this Return, touching the business of the Fisherie. 1655Fuller Ch. Hist. ix. 143 The true estate of Ecclesiasticall affairs..may be extracted out of the following dispatches, and their returns.
c. A report of a formal or official character giving information as to the numbers, amounts, etc., of the subjects of inquiry; a set of statistics compiled by order of some authority; spec. in Cricket, a summary of bowling figures at the end of play.
1756Washington Lett. Writ. 1889 I. 398 A return of the stores at this place is enclosed. 1787Nelson 4 July in Nicolas Disp. (1845) I. 241 Having given Commodore Parker a Return of the Squadron and the services they were employed upon. 1808Wellington in Gurw. Desp. (1835) IV. 16 You will direct the regiments to make returns for the number of canteens and havresacks that they may require. 1863H. Cox Instit. i. ix. 154 Many accounts and papers are obtained from public departments as returns to orders of either House. 1871C. Davies Metric Syst. iii. 284 The table of a return from the various Custom houses. 1976J. Snow Cricket Rebel 44 My return read nought for 117. 1977J. Laker One-Day Cricket 137 Bob White..must have surprised many Londoners with a number of fine returns since he left Lords.
transf.1784J. Barry Lect. Art vi. (1848) 206 The contraction or extension of our sphere of vision depends upon other considerations than the simple return of our mere natural optics.
10.
†a. Recovery of something taken. Obs.
1544Ld. Hertford's Exped. Scot. (1798) 15, lx oxen [were] brought away: for y⊇ retorne wherof a nomber of Scottysh⁓men pursued very ernestly.
b. Restoration of something to a person; spec. in Law (see quots.).
1641Termes de la Ley 241 Then hee that tooke the distresse shall have againe the distresse, and that is called the returne of the beasts. 1704J. Harris Lex. Techn. I, Returnum irreplegiabile, is a Writ..for the final restitution or return of Cattle to the Owner, unjustly taken by another. 1841Penny Cycl. XIX. 423/2 Return of Cattle, &c. is a term applied to the restoration of cattle, &c. distrained, to the party by whom they were distrained, after it has been ascertained that the distress was rightfully taken.
11. a. The act of giving, or (more usually) that which is given or received, by way of recompense, acknowledgement, or reciprocity.
a1542Wyatt in Tottel's Misc. (Arb.) 92 By which returne be sure to winne a cant Of halfe at least. 1602Shakes. Ham. ii. ii. 60 King. What from our Brother Norwey? Volt. Most faire returne of Greetings, and Desires. 1668Davenant Man's the Master iii. ii, That's a valuable return of intelligence from us for what he gave of himself. 1700Rowe Amb. Step-Moth. i. i, You out-bid my Service And all returns are vile, but Words the poorest. 1788Gibbon Decl. & F. xliv. IV. 395 A grateful return is due to the author of a benefit. 1807Southey Lett. (1850) III. 106 Mr. Aikin has sent me no returns either for this year's reviewing or the last. 1884Manch. Exam. 17 May 4/7 The Church does not get..any adequate return for the sacrifices she is compelled to make.
b. The yield of some productive thing considered in relation to the original amount or expenditure.
1626Bacon Sylva §409 In some Grounds which are strong, you shall haue a Raddish, etc. come in a month; That in other grounds will not come in two; And so make double Returnes. 1697Dryden Virg. Georg. ii. 642 The Swain..Receives his easy Food from Nature's Hand, And just Returns of cultivated Land. 1710Prideaux Orig. Tithes ii. 105 Wheat..produceth ten Bushels in the return. 1764Burn Poor Laws 156 One loom..will make fourteen returns the first year of cloth ready for sale, and sixteen returns every year after. 1799J. Robertson Agric. Perth 174 One hundred and twenty one bolls, an acre, being thirty-eight returns of the quantity of seed planted. 1886C. Scott Sheep-farming Introd. p. xvi, In the course of a year they give two returns,—the lamb, and the fleece.
c. In phr. in return.
1607Shakes. Timon iv. iii. 517 As rich men deale Guifts, Expecting in returne twenty for one. 1719De Foe Crusoe i. (Globe) 309, I wrote to my old Friend at Lisbon, who in Return gave me Notice, that he could easily dispose of it there. 1754Hume Hist. Eng. iv. (1812) I. 289 In return he promised that he would assist his brother. 1781Cowper Charity 92 No land but listens to the common call, And in return receives supply from all. 1827Roberts Voy. Centr. Amer. 68 The Indians..brought me a present,..and in return, I induced my friends to follow. 1896Law Times C. 360/2 He paid his fare to the conductor, and in return received a ticket.
d. in return for, † of, or † to.
1656Earl of Monmouth tr. Boccalini's Pol. Touchstone (1674) 268 In return of so prostrated a patience. 1749Fielding Tom Jones vi. i, In return to all these concessions, I desire [etc.]. 1760–72H. Brooke Fool of Qual. (1809) III. 143 Here are five guineas in return of the pleasure you have given me. 1793Smeaton Edystone L. §249 In return for our continued interruption.., our works had an uninterrupted progression for eighteen days. 1840Dickens Old C. Shop xliii, They covered her, in return for her exertions, with some pieces of sail-cloth and ends of tarpaulin. 1857Livingstone Trav. x. 196 A present is usually given in return for the hospitality.
e. ellipt. In various sports: a return match.
1958F. C. Avis Boxing Reference Dict. 111 Return, a second contest with a boxer whom one has previously fought. 1964Guardian 2 Mar. 7/6 Or we might arrange for a monkey's (monkey's paw—draw) so that we can have a return. 1977Daily Express 29 Mar. 32/4 England..could only score four in the return at Highbury.
12. a. A reply, answer, or retort. Now rare or Obs.
1599Shakes. Hen. V, ii. iv. 127 If my Father render faire returne, It is against my will. a1617Sir J. Melvil Mem. (1683) 34, I answered as I thought most pertinent. When he had heard my returns, he was pleased to say [etc.]. 1677A. Yarranton Eng. Improv. 194 If any Gentleman..please to put Pen to Paper, in opposition to what is here asserted; I shall give him a Civil return. 1702C. Mather Magn. Chr. vii. 16/2 Unto those Replies he gave Returns; and unto those Returns the Synod gave Rejoinders. 1751Harris Hermes Wks. (1841) 161 Whose verses are these? the return is a sentence, These are verses of Homer. 1796E. Parsons Myst. Warning III. 260 They had no return to the letters they had written.
b. A thrust, stroke, volley, etc., given in reply to one from an opponent or enemy.
1705Blackwell Fencing-Master 15 These are the Returns upon those Thrusts without Faints. 1809Roland Fencing 60 Being much nearer your adversary's body to deliver your return (called the riposte). 1837Marryat Perc. Keene xix, The Stella was put about, and the other broadside given without a return from her opponent. 1863G. J. Whyte-Melville Gladiators I. 30 If your guard is an inch too high, your return a thought too slow.
c. Card-playing. (Cf. return v. 21 c.)
1742Hoyle Whist 16 You may wait to finess your Ten upon the Return of Trumps from your Partner. 1830‘Eidrah Trebor’ Hoyle Made Familiar 15 You may wait the return of that suit. Ibid. 19 Wait the return from your partner. 1974Country Life 24 Jan. 152/3 West should have led the Heart Nine, to ask for a Diamond return. 1978Times 22 July 9/4 East led his ♠ 7, in order to..invite a spade return for a ruff.
d. The act of sending back to one.
1841Hope-Scott in Ornsby Mem. (1884) II. 3 Your speedy reply and return of my proofs was very kind. 1897[see 15].
e. The act of returning (a ball) to an opponent or to another player; skill in doing this.
1833J. Nyren Young Cricketer's Tutor 70 He had..such a rapid return..that I have seen many put out..in a single run. 1886Field 19 June 794/1, Mr. R. D. Walker seemed for once to have lost his power of return. 1891Grace Cricket 258 The first-named had a wonderfully good return, and knew..at which end there was a greater chance of a run-out. 1897Sportsman 16 Dec., The return..being a poor one, the first ‘scrum’ was formed on the Oxford ‘25’. 1906A. E. Knight Compl. Cricketer iv. 143 Inaccurate and wild returns not merely give away runs, they contribute to general slovenliness and slackness. 1972J. Mosedale Football x. 139 McElhenny embellished the performance with 52 yards on two kickoff returns, 32 on the punt returns.
13. a. The act of bringing a thing back to a former position.
1638Junius Paint. Ancients 294 In admiration we hold the hand up,..with all the fingers closed, which in the returne we do both spread and turn in one motion. 1787Best Angling (ed. 2) 122 Wave the rod in a small circumference round your head, and never make a return of it before it has had it's full scope. 1867F. Francis Angling vii. (1880) 277 In bringing out the line behind over the shoulder, the return must not be made so abruptly.
b. A part of a ribbon-loom. (See quot.)
1782Encycl. Brit. (ed. 2) IX. 6711/2 The returning-sticks, or as others call them, the returns, or the tumblers, or pulleys, to which the tires are tied, to clear the course of cords through the high-lisses.
14. pl.
a. Refuse-tobacco (obs.). In later use, a mild, light-coloured tobacco for smoking.
1789Evidence Comm. for repealing Duties on Tobacco 150 The returns are the edges of the boxes after they are gone through the engines..and the trimmings after finishing, the shag smalls, and the sand. 1789Act 29 Geo. III, c. 68 §155 All returns of Spanish shall be deemed..to be returns of tobacco within the meaning of this Act. 1835–6Encycl. Metrop. (1845) VIII. 396/2 Both [shag and returns] are made from the same cask of tobacco, the lighter leaves being chosen for the returns, and the darker ones for the common tobacco. 1893‘Q.’ Delect. Duchy 322 Who..smoked threepenny Returns in his Louis Quinze library.
b. Brewing. Return worts. (See 16 d.)
1846Tizard Brewing (ed. 2) xx. 555 By steeping it in sour beer, such as returns. Ibid., That which is the most highly concentrated may be added to weak returns.
15. a. A thing or person sent back. Chiefly pl.
1875Jevons Money (1878) 266 Any cheques or bill refused payment are called ‘returns’. 1892I. Zangwill Childr. Ghetto III. 53 He let himself fall backwards, impinging noiselessly upon a heap of ‘returns’ of number one. 1893Westm. Gaz. 18 May 2/3 ‘The returns’ leave Queensland in good health. 1897N. & Q. 8th Ser. XII. 215 Many of the papers being sent ‘for sale or return’, and the unsold copies referred to as ‘returns’. 1902Chambers's Jrnl. Feb. 114/1 The bags of tea, known as ‘returns’ which the samplers who come to the warehouse bring from the establishments they represent. 1934T. Wood Cobbers xi. 132 ‘Any returns?’ says the waitress, challengingly. 1971Publishers' Weekly 20 Dec. 16/1 The average rate of returns (unsold books) in the industry as a whole is about 50%. 1977Private Eye 13 May 6/3 As the evening's performance was a charity gala, there would be no cheap seats available. Returns were few and would start at {pstlg}3.
b. = recovery 5 f.
1909Brit. Birds II. 364 The returns for a species so much shot as the Woodcock are shown to be scarcely more than 5 per cent. 1959Jrnl. du Conseil XXV. 58 Haddock tagging..has shown that returns may come from the position of liberation after a very long period of freedom, or from a long way off after a comparatively short time. 1975Trans. Illinois State Acad. Sci. LXVIII. iii. 282 Band returns from quail released September or earlier indicated a general dispersal of 0·3–0·5 miles from the release site.
IV. attrib. and Comb.
16. a. Denoting return (of a person or thing) to a place, as return box, return cargo, return chaise, return flight, return journey, return load, return mail, return omnibus, return passenger, return post, return ship, return voyage; return address, the address to which a postal item is to be returned in case of non-delivery; return-case, a case of infectious disease occurring after the return home of a patient from hospital; return date U.S. Law, the date on which a specified person is required to appear in court; return envelope U.S., an addressed envelope enclosed with a letter for the recipient's reply; return fare, the fare for a return-ticket.
1928Publishers' Weekly 30 June 2605 All envelopes must carry the name and *return address of the sender in the upper left hand corner.
1852C. Brontë in Mrs. Gaskell Life (1857) II. 247, I have..sent off to-day, per rail, a *return-box of Cornhill books.
1827Roberts Voy. Centr. Amer. 51 Sufficient for a *return Cargo. 1838Penny Cycl. XI. 23/2 The return cargo was generally more valuable than the investments.
1897Allbutt's Syst. Med. II. 130 In spite of every precaution these so-called ‘*return cases’ will occasionally appear.
1798G. Thompson Sentimental Tour 20 Falling in with a *return-chaise, I agreed with the driver for a cast—So far, for so much. 1824Miss Mitford Village Ser. i. (1863) 6 A sort of open square, which is the constant resort of carts, waggons, and return chaises.
1972N.Y. Law Jrnl. 24 Oct. 18/7 A subpoena without a specific *return date and a specific place of attendance is invalid. 1973Ibid. 31 Aug. 1/1 There is a substantial probability that he will not appear in court on the return date.
1886‘Mark Twain’ Lett. to Publishers (1967) 205 Enclose a stamped and printed *return-envelop. 1974Spartanburg (S. Carolina) Herald 19 Apr. a4/8 So send for my booklet ‘How to Prevent Platonic Marriage’, enclosing a long stamped return envelope, plus 25 cents.
1976Eastern Even. News (Norwich) 22 Dec. 7/3 The clerk..should..see if it was possible to reintroduce the reduced rate *return fare in off peak hours. 1979Homes & Gardens June 26/4 The return air fare to Nice is a cracking {pstlg}180.
1966M. Woodhouse Tree Frog x. 74 I've booked my *return flight. 1976New Yorker 15 Nov. 83/1 The European booking agent who had arranged for the Belgrade and London appearances paid for their return flight.
1865Daily Tel. 13 Dec. 5/4, I found that everybody was coming back again, and I performed the *return journey.
1913Jones & Wyatt Motor Traction for Business Purposes 15 This matter of light mileage naturally brings us to the question of *return loads. 1977‘D. Rutherford’ Return Load i. 25 We have a job for you... A return load.
1864Harper's Mag. Jan. 205/2 Miss Amber answered the letter by *return mail. 1975P. Fussell Gt. War & Mod. Memory ii. 67 Geoffrey Keynes specialized in receiving antiquarian booksellers' catalogs and buying books by return mail.
1860A. J. Munby Diary 21 Feb. in D. Hudson Munby (1972) 51 Waiting for the *return omnibus, I discovered some pretty Gothic schools, new, on the green.
1864M. J. Higgins Ess. (1875) 187 The *return passengers by the Palmaria almost always have to walk home from the port on foot.
1885List of Subscribers, Classified (United Telephone Co.) (ed. 6) 226 (Advt.), Estimates per *return post. 1912W. Owen Let. ? 14 Nov. (1967) 168, I flatly disobeyed your Return-Post command. 1929M. de la Roche Whiteoaks ix. 137 Alayne wrote by return post. 1977Private Eye 13 May 22/2 Send small sample of urine and {pstlg}3 for reliable and strictly confidential results by first class return post.
c1700Evelyn Diary an. 1680 (1955) IV. 212, I went to visite a French Stranger,..who having been thrice at the East Indias, Persia & other remote Countries, came hither in our *returne ships from those parts.
1867Smyth Sailor's Word-bk. 570 A ship on a *return voyage is not generally liable [to confiscation].
b. In scientific or technical uses, as return air, return charge, return current, return flow, return shock, return smoke, return stroke, return wave.
1883Gresley Gloss. Coal Mining 202 *Return Air, the air or ventilation which has been passed through the workings.
1849Noad Electricity (ed. 3) 68 Faraday first observed the singular phenomenon of the *return charge. He found, that, if..the apparatus..was suddenly and perfectly discharged,..it gradually recovered a charge.
1873F. Jenkin Electr. & Magn. (1881) 313 The *return current is especially great when any portion of the line L is formed of wire coated with india-rubber. 1957G. E. Hutchinson Treat. Limnol. I. v. 268 We have a wind drift at the surface almost along the direction of the wind, and a region near the bottom of current flowing against the wind, the so-called return current.
1964Economist 23 May 837/3 The only possible source is ‘*return-flow’ from irrigation.
1881S. P. Thompson Electr. & Magn. i. §26. 28 When a charged conductor is suddenly discharged, a discharge is felt by persons standing near, or may even affect electroscopes, or yield sparks. This action, known as the ‘*return-shock’, is due to induction.
1861Mrs. J. H. Riddell City & Suburb I. ii. 29 A fire-board which had been put up with the friendly intention of preventing any occupant being suffocated with *return smoke.
1845Encycl. Metrop. VIII. 301/1 On the *return stroke the air enters into the cylinder below the piston. 1881S. P. Thompson Electr. & Magn. iv. §304. 257 The ‘return-stroke’ experienced by persons in the neighbourhood of a flash.
1898Westm. Gaz. 22 June 7/1 Visitors were specially warned by placards in various directions against the dangers of ‘the *return wave’.
c. Allowing or causing return of something, as return conductor, return pipe, return spring, return valve.
1825J. Nicholson Operat. Mechanic 509 The small return-spring should be as thin as possible at the end fastened to the other spring. 1839Civil Eng. & Arch. Jrnl. II. 306/2 H the return-pipe. 1847Phil. Mag. XXX. 194 The earth has been made to act the part of the return conductor. 1875Knight Dict. Mech. 1926/2 Return-valve, a valve which opens to allow reflux of a fluid under certain conditions.
d. Brewing. return wort, a weak wort blended with the following mash.
1845Tizard Voice from Mash-Tun i. 38 Examples of four brewings by the ordinary practice, from which the usual lengths, with Table-Beer or Return Wort, are drawn. 1846― Brewing (ed. 2) 186, etc.
e. return room, a mezzanine room at the turn of a flight of stairs.
1914Joyce Dubliners 82 He glanced up and saw Jack regarding him from the door of the return-room. 1922― Ulysses 296 The other boot which he had been looking for was at present under the commode in the return room. 1927St. John Ervine Wayward Man i. ii. 35 The return-room at the top of the first flight of stairs could be converted into a kitchen.
17. Denoting change of direction or recedence, esp. at right angles (see sense 4), as return angle, return arm, return crease, return desk, return piece, return side, return wall.
1676Moxon Print. Lett. 51 Placing one Foot of your Compasses on the *Return Angles. 1870F. R. Wilson Ch. Lindisf. 94 The masonry at the return angle of the nave is likewise Saxon.
1861Smiles Engineers II. 219 The moment the vessel gets within the outer angles of the two *return arms or kants, she may be said to be in or out of the harbour.
1775New Articles Game of Cricket 2 The Bowling-Crease must be parallel with the Stumps, Three Feet in Length, with a *Return-Crease. 1787Laws of Cricket in Waghorn Cricket Scores (1899) p. x, The Bowling-crease must be parallel with the stumps, three feet in length, with a return-crease. 1902[see call v. 4 l]. 1948Sporting Mirror 21 May 6/1 Three creases are marked out at each end of a cricket pitch—the bowling crease, return crease and popping crease. 1963Times 23 Apr. 4/7 He [sc. an umpire] is required..to see whether the bowler is no-balling on the return crease. 1976J. Snow Cricket Rebel 99 Stackpole's bat was outside the return crease at the time the wicket was broken.
16..in Parker Gloss. Arch. (1850) I. 386 Ye chapel..wth iij stooles on y⊇ one side and a *retorne desk at the ende.
1683Moxon Mech. Exerc., Printing xx. ⁋3 Its end..hath a small *Return piece..made square to the under-side of the Rod.
1679Ibid., Carp. ix. 171 Either the adjoyning sides of the Front of an House or Ground-plot, is called a *Return-side. 1683Ibid., Printing x. ⁋9 A square Iron Plate..with Return Sides about six Inches long each side.
1838Civil Eng. & Arch. Jrnl. I. 330/1 Opposite the *return walls, and sometimes at certain distances in the length.
18. Denoting a doubling back upon the former direction, as return bend, return block, return flue.
1884Knight Dict. Mech. Suppl. 754/2 Return Bend, a U-shaped pipe coupling for uniting the ends of pipes. 1888Lockwood's Dict. Terms, Return Block, a snatch block. Ibid., Return Flues, the flues of Cornish, Lancashire, and Wagon boilers.
19. Played, given, etc., in return, as return buffet, return entertaining, return leg, return match, return stroke, return thanks, return thrust, return tie.
1883R. W. Church in Ward's Eng. Poets (1883) II. 280 The men who..dealt the return buffet to Spanish pride in the harbour of Cadiz.
1899‘Mark Twain’ in Forum (N.Y.) Mar. 29 You can judge..what sort of return-entertaining she has done. 1973Times 31 Oct. 10/5 After Soviet objections to playing the return leg in the Santiago stadium..Fifa..sent a delegation to investigate.
1772in Waghorn Cricket Scores (1899) 84 The return match at cricket was played at Wye. 1873Routledge's Young Gentlm. Mag. Dec. 100/2 We can't have the return match before Wednesday. 1891W. G. Grace Cricket iv. 108 The return match, at Lord's..was more encouraging to us. 1915J. Buchan Thirty-Nine Steps i. 18 This is the return match for the pogroms. The Jew is everywhere. 1929Evening News 18 Nov. 16/6 In a return ice hockey match yesterday Berlin beat London by four goals to two. 1971Nature 23 July 213/1 This follows..a conference in Washington a month ago... A ‘return match’ meeting to clinch the project is scheduled for Madrid for early August. 1973Times 21 Mar. 9/6 The suspense of the medical report and the outcome of the return match. 1977Times 8 Dec. 17/4 Contrary to my prematch forecast and your diarists' ex post account, I did not win: nor has a return match been played or planned.
1907Yesterday's Shopping (1969) 361/1 ‘Return thanks’ card... Return thanks for kind enquiries and sympathy. 1972V.A.T.: Scope & Coverage (H.M. Customs) 33 Postcards..acceptance cards; ‘thank-you’ or ‘return-thanks’ cards. 1861Chapman Art Fencing i. 19 The direct return thrust (Repost)..should be delivered with the greatest rapidity. 1972G. Green Great Moments in Sport: Soccer xi. 108 The return tie was played at Maine Road.
Add:[III.] [13.] c. = return key, sense *16 c below.
1981Dunn & Morgan PET Personal Computer for Beginners i. 4 Try typing in other words and pressing Return when you have finished, to see what happens. 1984Which Micro? Dec. 83/2 The keys are simple enough, with..return for jump. 1986Sci. Amer. Aug. 10/3 The simplest misdirection is based on the carriage-return key (called variously ‘return’ or ‘enter’).
[IV.] [16.] [c.] return key Computing, a key pressed to simulate a carriage return (esp. in a word-processing program) or to transfer data from an input buffer to a program or computer; a carriage-return key.
1978Getting Started with your PET (Total Info. Services Workbk. i) i. 5 The ‘Return’ key must be pressed at the end of each line. 1985Practical Computing July 59/1 However, all the keys are sensibly placed, and my only real criticism is that the Return key is far too small.
▪ II. return, v.1|rɪˈtɜːn|
Forms: 4–6 retorne (5 Sc. ratorn, 6 reatorn); 4–6 retourne, 6–7 retourn; 5–7 returne (5 Sc. raturn), 7– return.
[ad. OF. retorner, retourner, returner mod.F. retourner), = Sp. and Pg. retornar, It. ritornare: see re- and turn v.]
I. intr.
1. To come or go back to a place or person.
a1366Chaucer Rom. Rose 385 As watir that doun renneth ay, But neuer drope Retourne may. c1420Lydg. Assembly of Gods 111, I might nat thedyr crepe Before my seson came to retorne ayeyne. c1500Melusine 334 Thenne he gaf lycens to his children to retourne. And so þey departed & retourned toward Lusynen. 1560J. Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 6 b, Nowe having little monye left..he is dryven to retourne. 1604E. G[rimstone] tr. D'Acosta's Hist. Indies ii. iv. 87 The heat and drought comes whenas the Sunne returnes. 1685Dryden Threnod. August. 140 Thus, at half-ebb a rolling sea Returns, and wins upon the shore. 1768Sterne Sent. Journ., Temptation, She return'd back and went into the room. 1781Logan in Scott. Paraphr. viii. 9 But man forsakes this earthly Scene, Ah! never to return. 1855Kingsley Westw. Ho! xiv, He had gone out to say his prayers, and had not returned. 1860Tyndall Glac. i. xxii. 153 He returned, and I went on alone.
b. Const. to, into, or from. Also home, whence.
c1400Rom. Rose 4918 Al his lyf he doth so morne, Bycause he dar not hom retourne. c1400Mandeville (1839) xxii. 245 And aftre..thei retournen to hire owne Housholdes. 1484Caxton Fables of Alfonce viii, As he was retornynge fro the feyre. 1526Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 17 But caused them to returne backwarde in to the wyldernesse. 1577Frampton Joyful News Ded., Retourning, right worshipfull, home into Englande oute of Spaine. 1611Bible Jer. xviii. 11 Returne ye now euery one from his euill way. 1660Boyle New Exp. Phys. Mech. iv. 46 We..allow'd the external Air to return into the Receiver. 1712–14Pope Rape Lock iii. 23 The merchant from th' Exchange returns in peace. 1776Trial of Nundocomar 30/1 He went from Calcutta to Jaggernaut, from whence he returned to Calcutta. 1847Marryat Childr. N. Forest vi, Jacob..returned home well satisfied with the profit he had made. 1875Jowett Plato (ed. 2) V. 3 Aristotle..returned to Athens after the death of Plato.
c. transf. of immaterial things, as time, etc.
a1366Chaucer Rom. Rose 383 The tyme that may not soiourne, But goth and may neuer Retourne. 1549Compl. Scot. 85 Vald ȝe al perpend ȝour..querrel, than hardines and curage vald returne vitht in ȝour hartis. 1591Spenser M. Hubberd 306 Ere the yeare..doo returne from whence he first begun. 1638Junius Paint. Ancients 246 That is great indeed..which doth still returne into our thoughts. 1667Milton P.L. xi. 531 Till many years over thy head return: So maist thou live. 1697Dryden Virg. Georgics iii. 429 With the Spring their genial Warmth returns. a1832Mackintosh Bacon & Locke Wks. 1846 I. 329 Their argument must return to the point from which it set out. 1859Tennyson Geraint & Enid 1182 Nor will ye win him back, For the man's love once gone never returns. 1880Shorthouse J. Inglesant xxxvii, The scenes and forms of death with which he had been familiar in Naples, returned again and again before his eyes.
d. Const. upon (a person).
c1450Merlin 597 The saisnes were grete and stronge, and..often thei returned vpon hem that hem pursued. 1484Caxton Fables of æsop iii. vi, Synne retorneth euer vpon his mayster. 1611Bible 1 Kings ii. 33 Their blood shall therefore returne vpon the head of Ioab. 1719Waterland Vind. Christ's Div. 21 Let it stand, to support the Second Query; which returns upon you, and expects a fuller Answer. 1864Tennyson En. Ard. 619 When the beauteous hateful isle Return'd upon him. 1866Dale Disc. Spec. Occ. iii. 68 Your sins after injuring others, often return upon yourselves.
e. In pa. pple. with is, was, etc. Now rare.
1560J. Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 153 He a lytle before at the beginning of Maye, was retorned home with his wyfe. 1581Lambarde Eiren. i. iv. (1588) 21 After such time as Queene Isabell..was returned ouer the Seas into England. 1601Weever Mirr. Mart. E v b, Through many paines and perils past, I'm safe returned back to Wales at last. 1667Milton P.L. ix. 401 Shee to him as oft engag'd To be returnd by Noon amid the Bowre. 1795Jefferson Writ. (1859) IV. 118 After the middle of May, by which time I hope to be returned from Bedford. 1823Lingard Hist. Eng. VI. 227 The business languished till the earl of Wiltshire was returned from Bologna.
f. With cognate object. rare.
1594Shakes. Rich. III, i. i. 117 Go treade the path that thou shalt ne're return.
†2.
a. To have respect or relation to. Obs.—1
1390Gower Conf. III. 133 The tail of Scorpio..to Mercurie and to Satorne Be weie of kinde mot retorne After the preparacion Of due constellacion.
†b. To turn round (to one); to face about. Obs.
1432–50tr. Higden (Rolls) IV. 463 When this noble yonge man Iulian huntede.., and folowede an herte, the herte returnede to hym. c1470Henry Wallace ii. 59 Wallace raturnd as man of mekyll mayne; And at a straik the formast has he slayne.
†c. To turn back, retire, retreat. Obs.
c1420Lydg. Assembly of Gods 1098 Ye shall your chaunce Take as hit falleth, wherfore returne ye must. c1470Henry Wallace x. 672 The erll of Ȝork consaillyt the king to fle; Than he ratornd, sen na succour thai se. 1470–85Malory Arthur i. xv. 57 These two knyghtes were in grete daunger of their lyues that they were fayn to retorne.
†d. To turn away; to go away again. Obs.
1432–50tr. Higden (Rolls) III. 25 In the whiche yere Edom returnede, in that he wolde not be vnder Iuda, and made a kynge to theyme. 1611Bible 2 Kings xviii. 14, I haue offended, returne from me: that which thou puttest on me, wil I beare.
†e. Arch. Of a moulding, etc.: To continue at an angle to the previous direction. rare—1.
1613–39I. Jones in Leoni Palladio's Archit. (1742) II. 49 This Architrave..does return over the Pilasters.
3. a. To go back in discourse; to revert to or resume a topic or subject.
c1400Mandeville (1839) v. 53 Now will I retourne aȝen, or I procede ony ferthere, for to declare ȝou the othere weyes, that drawen toward Babiloyne. a1450Knt. de la Tour (1868) 137 Atte this tyme y passe ouer to speke more of these good ladyes, and retorne ayen to other thingges. a1533Ld. Berners Huon lv. 189 Let vs leue spekynge of them tyll we returne therto agayne. 1568Grafton Chron. II. 377 But to returne where we left: After the Duke was fled, as afore⁓sayde [etc]. 1593Shakes. 2 Hen. VI, iii. i. 322 Suff. But now returne we to the false Duke Humfrey. Card. No more of him. 1656Harrington Oceana (1658) 155 It is not so much my desire to return upon haunts, as theirs that will not be satisfied. 1662Stillingfl. Orig. Sacræ i. iii. §9 But to return to Kircher. 1719De Foe Crusoe ii. (Globe) 371, I return to the Story. 1799H. More Fem. Educ. (ed. 4) I. 105 To return, however, to the subject of general education. 1838T. Thomson Chem. Org. Bodies 807 Let us now return to the aqueous solution from which the resinous-looking matter had separated. 1856Froude Hist. Eng. (1858) I. i. 74 The subject is one to which..I shall have more than one occasion to return.
†b. To proceed or begin again to do something. Obs. (Only in translations from Spanish and Italian.)
1574Hellowes Guevara's Fam. Ep. (1577) 236 Which..after I had read, and returned againe to reade the same [etc.]. 1594T. Bedingfield tr. Machiavelli's Florentine Hist. (1595) 63 Whereuppon they returned to admonish more boldlie then they were woont. 1626C. Potter tr. Sarpi's Hist. Quarrels 120 A few daies after, hauing changed his minde.., he returned to treat with him as before.
4. a. To revert, go back again, to (or into) a previous condition or state; to come back to oneself.
1484Caxton æsop ii. x, A lytyll whyle after this, this man retourned and felle ageyne in to grete pouerte. 1526Tindale Acts xiii. 34 He reysed him vp from deeth, now no more to returne to corrupcion. 1611Bible Gen. iii. 19 Dust thou art, and vnto dust shalt thou returne. 1651Hobbes Leviath. ii. xxx. 175 The Common-wealth is thereby dissolved, and every man returneth into the condition and calamity of a warre with every other man. 1710Steele Tatler No. 198 ⁋4 Upon proper Applications to revive her, the unhappy young Creature returned to her self. 1796in Burke Regic. Peace i. Sel. Wks. (1892) 39 To engage Prussia..to return into the coalition. 1852M. Arnold Empedocles Poems (1906) 109 To the elements it came from Everything will return. 1892Speaker 3 Sept. 290/1 The roses..will deteriorate year after year, returning gradually to wildness.
b. To revert to some practice, opinion, etc. to return to nature: to abandon urban life in favour of rustic simplicity. Cf. return n. 1 i.
1534More Treat. Passion Wks. 1309/2 They..retourned of frowardnes to their errours agayne. 1552Abp. Hamilton Catech. (1884) 47 He..will nocht returne to the catholike faith. 1611Cotgr., Recoquiner, to fall a begging, to returne to beggerie. 1737Gentl. Mag. VII. 288/2 Finding that she absolutely must resolve to die, or return to wearing Petticoats. 1745Eliza Heywood Female Spect. No. 19 (1748) IV. 26 Heaven forbid that..I should..advise them to return to that old fashioned way of spending time. 1881Jowett Thucyd. I. 72 The Byzantians too agreed to return to their allegiance. 1902G. K. Chesterton Twelve Types 141 This attempt to re-establish communication with the elemental, or, as it is sometimes more roughly and fallaciously expressed, to return to nature.
†c. To become (something) again. Obs. rare.
1523Ld. Berners Froiss. I. 427 Into his owne countre, the which newly was retourned Frenche. 1618Camden's Lett. (1691) 210 The Count of Candale is suddenly returned Papist again. 1692O. Walker Grk. & Rom. Hist. 330 She turned Arrian... Afterwards she seemed to return Catholick.
†d. Sc. To change or turn into something else.
1500–20Dunbar Poems xii. 4 All erdly joy returnis in pane. 1513Douglas æneis iv. viii. 100 Scho gan behald In blak adill the hallowit wattir cald Changit and altir, and furth ȝet wynis gude Anon returnit into laithlie blude.
5. To go back or revert to a previous owner.
c1460Fortescue Abs. & Lim. Mon. xi. (1885) 136 Thai rewarded with..offices, and some with livelode terme off lyff, wich aftir thair dethis wolde than retorne to the Crowne. 1524Test. Ebor. (Surtees) VI. 10, I bequeathe..a litile howse with a yerde the terme of his lyfe, and then to return to the right heires. 1631J. Doddridge Eng. Lawyer 70 Never like to return to the Lord by Escheat or Donor by Reverter. 1687A. Lovell tr. Thevenot's Trav. i. 115 The Saracens took it from the Greeks,..then it returned to the Christians, and afterwards to the Saracens.
†6.
a. To result or fall out to a person. Obs.
1586A. Day Eng. Secretary i. (1595) 140 Consider with your selfe how grieuous the thing you go about to compasse may returne vnto her.
†b. To amount to a certain sum. Obs. rare—1.
1622Capt. Smith's Wks. (Arb.) 777, 5000. persons, whose labours returne yeerely to about 135000. pound sterling.
II.
†7.
a. refl. To turn or go back to an occupation, place, etc. Obs. rare.
1413Pilgr. Sowle (Caxton) v. i. (1859) 68, I retourne me ageyne to my fyrst purpoos. c1477Caxton Jason 110 b, Whan the Quene Ysiphyle had saide these wordes she retorned her unto the cite. 1612Shelton Quix. (1620) I. iv. 136 That which we might do best were to return us again to our village.
†b. To turn round (to a person) or back. Obs.
1483Caxton Gold. Leg. 442 b/2, Ryght there he retourneth hymself and salueth the peple. 1533Bellenden Livy ii. xv. (S.T.S.) II. 5 Returnand him to Appius he said [etc.]. 1591Shakes. 1 Hen. VI, iii. iii. 56 Returne thee therefore with a floud of Teares, And wash away thy Countries stayned Spots.
8. trans.
†a. To reverse, return upon (one's course). Obs.
c1420Lydg. Assembly of Gods 100 Thys Eolus hath oft Made me to retourne my course agayn nature With hys gret blastys. 1582N. Lichefield tr. Castanheda's Conq. E. Ind. i. ii. 5 They lost each other, and therefore they retourned their course towardes Cabo Verde.
†b. To turn round (a horse, ship, etc.); to cause to face the other way. Obs.
c1500Melusine 309 But whan he cam in to the feldes he retourned hys hors, & beheld toward thabbaye. 1553Eden Treat. Newe Ind. (Arb.) 35 Returninge his shyppes towarde the West, he found a more holesome ayre. 1607Rowlands Earl of Warwick (Hunterian Cl.) 53 Then very lightly Guy returns his Horse, And comes up on him with redoubled might.
c. To take or lead back upon the former direction; to turn at an angle to the previous course.
1613–39I. Jones in Leoni Palladio's Archit. (1742) II. 45 The Cimasium..return'd to the Wall. 1731Phil. Trans. XXXVII. 28 We then thought of trying whether the Attraction would not be stronger without doubling or returning the Line. 1731Miller Gard. Dict. s.v. Stoves, Over this the second Flue must be return'd back again. 1825J. Nicholson Operat. Mechanic 545 The trouble of plumbing and returning the quoins, is considered equivalent to the deficiency of materials. 1874J. T. Micklethwaite Mod. Par. Churches 59, I propose that the upper row of stalls should be returned at the west end of the chancel.
9.
†a. To turn (one's heart, thoughts, etc.) back or away (from something). Obs.
1483Caxton Gold. Leg. 117/2 Their hertes [were so] mollified that almost were retorned fro the crysten faith. c1500Lancelot 1266 So mokil to hir lady haith she vroght That at that tyme she haith Returnyt hir thocht. 1700Farquhar Constant Couple 111, Such ungenerous usage will soon return my tir'd heart.
b. To turn or direct (one's eyes, sight, mind) back, or towards something.
1509Barclay Shyp of Folys (1570) ⁋⁋vj, Returne your sight, beholde vnto the shore. 1590Spenser F.Q. ii. iii. 19 Each bad other flye: Both fled attonce, ne ever backe retourned eye. Ibid. iii. viii. 18 Braggadochio,..Once having turnd, no more returnd his face. 1647N. Bacon Disc. Govt. Eng. i. lvii. (1739) 106 The King..then returns his thoughts for France. 1839–48Bailey Festus xix. 214 And I returned mine hungry eyes to the light.
†c. To pull back (one's hand). Obs. rare—1.
1697Potter Antiq. Greece iii. iv. (1715) 45 The Grecians.., placing their Bows directly before them, return'd their Hand upon their right Breast.
10. a. To bring or convey back to a place or person. Const. to, from, etc.
1432–50tr. Higden (Rolls) I. 425 Whiche ston brouȝhte from that place by a certeyne space of eny man is returnede to his propre place ageyne in the nyȝhte. c1500Melusine 114 Goo thanne fourth on your waye, vnder the sauegarde of god, who kepe you, lede & retourne you agayn with joye. 1538Bale Thre Lawes 133 Thou shalt my people returne from farre exyle. 1594Marlowe & Nashe Dido i. i, Changing heavens may those good days return, Which Pergama did vaunt in all her pride. 1650W. Brough Sacr. Princ. (1659) 473 This heals sin.., returns thee both to God and thy self. 1667Milton P.L. vii. 16 With like safetie guided down Return me to my Native Element. 1727De Foe Secrets, etc. (1840) 337 All these cases, however, return me back to the advice above. 1759Sterne Tr. Shandy ii. xvii, Here Trim kept waving his right hand.., returning it backwards and forwards to the conclusion of the paragraph.
b. To bring back or restore (something) to or into a former position or state; to restore to a normal state; † to retransform.
1462Pol. Poems (Rolls) II. 268 Henry hys sone of Wyndesore, by gret foly, Alle hathe retourned unto huge langoure. 1525Ld. Berners Froiss. II. 599 To retourne all the landes agayne to the governynge of the kyng of Englande. 1584R. Scot Discov. Witchcr. v. iii. (1886) 75 Of a man turned into an asse, and returned againe into a man by one of Bodins witches. 1662Playford Skill Mus. iii. (1674) 23 If you return the eight of the Treble into a third again. 1697Collier Ess. Mor. Subj. i. (1703) 167 A man cannot always stand bent; so that either negligence, or passion,..will sometime or other return the posture. 1883Jefferies Story my Heart v. (1891) 91 Torso and limb, bust and neck instantly returned me to myself.
†c. To make or render again. Obs.—1
1559in Strype Ann. Ref. (1709) I. xiii. 174 Pretending that Q. Mary of famous memory had returned the realm wholly Catholic.
†11. To induce (one) to come back. Obs.
1523Ld. Berners Froiss. I. ccclxxv. 624 To retourne agayne the fleers, and to fyght with theyr ennemies. a1547Surrey æneid iv. 634, I have found the way Him to returne, or lose me from his love. 1591Troub. Raigne K. John To Rdr., We left..Hubert posting to returne those Lords, Who deem'd him [Arthur] dead, and parted discontent.
†12. To withdraw, recall, summon back. Obs.
1590Lloyd 1st Pt. Diall of Daies 160 Seeing that hee could do no good hee returned his siege and marched with his army toward Apulia. 1617Buccleuch MSS. (Hist. MSS. Comm.) I. 187 The calling away the armada, and returning it again in that manner.
13. a. To bring back in exchange; to yield in return. Now rare.
1596Raleigh Discov. Gviana ⁋iij, I was not bounde to satisfie anie man of the quantitie, but such onely as aduentured, if any store had been returned thereof. 1610Healey St. Aug. Citie of God i. xiv. (1620) 22 If the worship of these gods returne mens happinesse in the life to come. 1612Davies Why Ireland, etc. 132 Ireland had beene..Planted, and Improoued; and returned a rich Reuennew to the Crowne of England.
1866Rogers Agric. & Prices I. iii. 51 Rye returns at Maldon rather more than three times.
†b. To turn over in business. Obs. rare.
1677A. Yarranton Eng. Improv. 23, I do know four persons..that are in a great Trade, and I believe they Return more moneys in Trade than any two Merchants or Traders in England. 1761Charac. in Ann. Reg. 63/1 From the time of his opening this shop, till the year 1759, he returned annually about two thousand pounds.
14. a. To put back in or into something; to restore to some receptacle.
1611Bible Gen. xliii. 18 Because of the money that was returned in our sackes at the first time are we brought in. 1759Sterne Tr. Shandy ii. xvii, Trim wiped his face, and returned his handkerchief into his pocket. 1763Mills System Pract. Husb. IV. 404 The mould which is to be returned into them should also be mixed with..wood-ashes. 1821Byron Sardan. ii. i, Arbaces and Salemenes return their swords to the scabbards. 1848Mill Pol. Econ. iii. xxiv. II. 195 The notes..would, if not wanted for current transactions, be returned into deposit.
b. Mil. To replace (arms, etc.) in the usual receptacle.
1696R. H. Sch. Recreat. 53 Return your scowrer. [i.e.] Put it up in its proper place. Ibid. 57 When by command your Swords are returned, stand upright to your Arms. 1799Instr. & Reg. Cavalry (1813) 271 They form to the reserve, returning their pistols and sloping their swords. 1833Ibid. i. 84 Young horses must be gradually accustomed..to drawing and returning swords. 1847Infantry Man. (1854) 40 After returning ramrods, the whole remain steady.
III. 15. a. To send (a person or thing) back again.
1459Rolls of Parlt. V. 368/1 That the said Shirref or Shirrefs, deuly serve and retourne the said Writte. 1582Stanyhurst æneis ii. (Arb.) 61 Achilles..me to my kingdoom both gently and truely returned [L. remisit]. c1595Capt. Wyatt R. Dudley's Voy. W. Ind. (Hakl. Soc.) 39 The commaunder of that place, returninge our messingers the next daie.., promised..to com. 1642tr. Perkins' Prof. Bk. xi. §260. 333 If..the Sherife returne the writ at the day. 1711Budgell Spect. No. 116 ⁋3 A Gentleman having made him a Present of a..fine hound,..the Knight returned it by the Servant with a great many Expressions of Civility. 1726Pope Odyss. xix. 542 Autolycus..from the Delphic dome With added gifts return'd him [Ulysses] glorious home. 1765R. Rogers Jrnl. (1769) 156 He saw at Montreal two Rangers,..that were returned by Col. Haviland. 1877Raymond Statist. Mines & Mining 108 The loaded buckets or cars coming down and emptying themselves would return the empty ones. 1886Field 19 June 794/1 He did..now and then return balls which almost all players would have found impracticable.
b. To turn back; to force (one) to return to a place. rare.
1545Brinklow Compl. 42 If he passe the second, he shal be returnyd at the thyrd, onlesse he be rych or haue great fryndys. 1667Milton P.L. xii. 219 Least..Warr terrifie them inexpert, and feare Return them back to Egypt. 1829Gen. P. Thompson Exerc. (1842) I. 52 Till Vishnu array himself.., to return him to his deep.
c. To send back or reflect (sound or light).
1693Dryden Persius (1697) 439 A flaw is in thy ill-bak'd Vessel found; 'Tis hollow, and returns a jarring sound. 1711Budgell Spect. No. 116 ⁋7 The Chiding of the Hounds, which was returned upon us in a double Eccho, from two neighbouring Hills. 1728Pope Dunc. ii. 264 Long Chanc'ry-lane retentive rolls the sound, And courts to courts return it round and round. 1810Scott Lady of L. iii. xxxi, And lake and fell Three times return'd the martial yell. a1832― Paraphr. Exod. xiii, Arabia's crimsoned sands Returned the fiery column's glow.
16. a. To report in answer to a writ or to some official demand for information; to state by way of a report or verdict.
1425Rolls of Parlt. IV. 306 Writtes..to enpanell diverses persones to passe in enquestes bytwene parties, and her names to retourne..into the Kynges Court. 1483Ibid. VI. 262/2 After office therof retourned into the seid Court of Chauncery. 1524in Archæol. Jrnl. (1874) XXXI. 64 Reatorning and testifieing your doing in the premises. c1611Chapman Iliad ix. 580 Let these lords then return th' event, and do thou here repose. 1678Cudworth Intell. Syst. 366 Jupiter..is said to appoint other Inferiour Gods under him, over all the parts of the earth,..to return the names both of bad and good to him. 1702Modern Cases (1716) 59 There were two other Writs out, and the Sheriff retorned upon the Habeas Corpus, that he had him in Custody upon both of them. 1768Blackstone Comm. III. 273 Whatever the sheriff does in pursuance of this writ, he must return or certify to the court of common pleas. 1802James Milit. Dict. s.v., To be returned upon the surgeon's list as unfit for duty. 1844Lingard Anglo-Sax. Ch. (1858) I. App. i. 363 The church..of Loiton..is returned in possession of five hides. 1891Law Times XCII. 97/2 The liabilities were returned in the statement of affairs at {pstlg}15,183, with assets at {pstlg}1042.
b. Of a sheriff: To report (certain persons) as having been appointed to serve on a jury or to sit in Parliament. Hence, in later use, of constituencies: To elect as a member of Parliament or other administrative body.
1436Rolls of Parlt. IV. 501/2 That no Shirreve..retourne ne empanell in noon Inquisition ne Enquest, no persones but thoo enhabitauntz withynne his Baylie. 1472–3Ibid. VI. 42/1 All Knyghtes of Shires,..returned in this present Parlement, personally appere. 1544tr. Littleton's Tenures (1574) 48 A Pannel by force of the same writte ought to be retourned. 1687Col. Rec. Pennsylv. I. 196 Joseph Growdon was Returned to serve for three years in Prov[incia]ll Councill. a1715Burnet Own Time (1724) II. 242 All juries were returned by the sheriffs. 1770Goldsm. Bolingbroke Wks. (Globe) 452/1 Upon the election of a new Parliament..Bolingbroke was not returned. 1807Syd. Smith Peter Plymley's Lett. Wks. 1859 II. 172/1 The 100 Irish members who are returned to parliament will be Catholics. 1845Ld. Campbell Chancellors lxxiv. III. 117 Hyde..was returned both by Shaftesbury and Wootton Basset.
†c. To send in or remit (sums levied under a writ). Obs. rare—1.
1647Clarendon Hist. Reb. i. §148 Instead of a ship, he should levy..a sum of money, and return the same to the Treasurer of the Navy for his majesty's use.
d. Cricket. Of a bowler: to achieve (bowling figures) in an innings or other session of play.
1969Times 29 July 9/2 The best bowling figures..were returned by Bore. 1976J. Snow Cricket Rebel 112 Sussex..were rolled over for 104, Warwickshire left-arm spinner Jim Allan returning career-best figures of five for 11. 1977J. Laker One-Day Cricket 69 Gilmour returned the staggering figures of 12–6–14–6.
17. a. To send or turn back, to visit, (something) upon a person. Now rare.
a1547Surrey æneid ii. 242 Which fate the Gods first on himself return. 1611Bible 1 Kings ii. 32 The Lord shall returne his blood vpon his owne head. Ibid. 44 The Lord shall returne thy wickednesse vpon thine owne head. 1666Dryden Ann. Mirab. cclxiv, If mercy be a precept of Thy will, Return that mercy on Thy servant's head.
1848Mill Pol. Econ. iii. xxiii. II. 183 Deposits are withdrawn from banks, notes are returned on the issuers in exchange for specie.
†b. To retort (a charge, argument, etc.) to or upon a person. Obs.
1562Cooper Answ. Def. Truth (1850) 192 The same crimes may be more justly returned to yourself and yours. 1608Willet Hexapla Exod. 455 This reason may be returned againe vpon him. 1681Dryden Abs. & Achit. To Rdr., I expect you should return upon me that I affect to be thought more impartial than I am. 1719De Foe Crusoe ii. (Globe) 432 But recollecting what he had said,..I return'd it back upon him.
c. absol. To retort or reply (to or upon a person).
1652Cromwell Let. 30 July (Carlyle), My occasions will not permit me to return to you as I would. 1693Humours Town 31 By all means Sir, Object and Return, as often as you please. 1888Stevenson Popular Authors iv, A plain⁓spoken and possibly high-thinking critic might here perhaps return upon me with my own expressions.
IV.
18. a. To give or render back (to one).
1607Shakes. Timon i. ii. 6, I do returne those Talents Doubled with thankes and seruice, from whose helpe I deriu'd libertie. 1704J. Harris Lex. Techn. I. s.v. Returno habendo, A Writ that lies..for returning to him the Cattle distrained. 1708Pope Ode St. Cecilia 82 Restore, restore Eurydice to life; Oh take the husband, or return the wife! 1771Encycl. Brit. II. 219/2 Weight is returned for weight, to any person who carries their gold and silver to the Tower. 1853Lytton My Novel ix. xvii, I hope to return some day what you then so generously pressed upon me. 1867H. Macmillan Bible Teach. viii. 154 We are constantly returning to the earth the materials we receive from it.
b. To give or send in return; to reply with.
1599Hakluyt Voy. II. 96 The commodities which they returned backe were..Muskadels, and other wines. 1611Bible 1 Sam. vi. 3 Send it not empty; but in any wise returne him a trespasse offring. 1660F. Brooke tr. Le Blanc's Trav. 260 They brought us a good part of their fish,..and we returned them two fine horns excellently wrought. 1705E. Blackwell Fencing-Master 15 When Tierce is thrusted, return Tierce or Sagoone. 1830‘Eidrah Trebor’ Hoyle Made Familiar 18 Play the ace, and return the knave; the knave is returned in order to strengthen your partner's hand. 1867Smyth Sailor's Word-bk. 570 Admirals are saluted, but return two guns less for each rank that the saluting officer is below the admiral. 1885Manch. Exam. 15 May 5/3 They will not be slow to return him like for like.
19. a. To give or send (an answer).
1591Shakes. 1 Hen. VI, ii. v. 20 We sent..vnto his Chamber, And answer was return'd, that he will come. 1601― Twel. N. i. i. 25, I might not be admitted, But from her handmaid do returne this answer. 1624Capt. Smith's Wks. (Arb.) 519 [He] desired me to vrge him no further, but returne his brother this answer. 1709Steele Tatler No. 78 ⁋12 If any one returns me an Answer to a Letter. 1791Mrs. Radcliffe Rom. Forest i, No answer was returned. 1850Tennyson In Mem. lxxxi, But Death returns an answer sweet.
b. To say or state by way of reply or answer.
1593Shakes. Rich. II, iii. iii. 121 Northumberland, say thus: The King returnes, His Noble Cousin is right welcome hither. 1642Fuller Holy & Prof. St. v. xviii. §1 He returned, that learning was beneath the greatness of a prince. 1691T. H[ale] Acc. New Invent. 18 Whereto we hold it unnecessary here to return any thing in opposition more. 1726Pope Odyss. xvi. 61 The swain returns. ‘A tale of sorrows hear.’ 1782Cowper Gilpin 179 The calender..Return'd him not a single word. 1855Macaulay Hist. Eng. xii. III. 228 Signals were made from the steeples and returned from the mast heads, but were imperfectly understood on both sides. 1889Cornh. Mag. Feb. 129, ‘I wish you would’.., returns Frances pettishly.
†c. To give in answer to a request. Obs.—1
1634Sir T. Herbert Trav. (1638) 169 Forced by inordinate thirst to call for water, she returnes me old intoxicating Shiraz Wine.
20. To give or render (thanks).
1591Shakes. 1 Hen. VI, ii. ii. 51 And therefore tell her, I returne great thankes, And in submission will attend on her. 1653Cloria & Narcissus i. 223 To return a dissembling thanks for the Princes favour. 1689Ray in Lett. Lit. Men (Camden) 196, I..returned you many thanks for the present of seeds. 1736Gentl. Mag. VI. 435/1 To return his Majesty the Thanks of that House for his most gracious Speech from the Throne. 1780in Nichols Anecd. (1815) IX. 263 The Lord Chancellor..returns him many thanks for a very agreeable morning's amusement.
21. a. To repay or pay back in some way, esp. with something similar.
1599Shakes. Hen. V, iv. vii. 189, I doe know Fluellen valiant, And toucht with Choler, hot as Gunpowder, And quickly will returne an iniurie. 1605― Lear i. i. 99 You haue begot me, bred me, lou'd me. I returne those duties backe as are right fit. 1686Parr Life Ussher 48 Which Present was also returned by the Lord Primate, by a Letter of thanks, with a handsome present of Irish Grey-hounds. 1710Steele Tatler No. 227 ⁋1 He returns my Envy with Pity. 1713― Englishm. No. 10. 67 Men strove not to excel in Justice, but to return Injuries. 1828Scott Tales Grandf. Ser. ii. xxxv, As Herbert did not return the blow, no scuffle..actually took place. 1859Tennyson Elaine 1077 He loves the Queen, and in an open shame: And she returns his love in open shame. 1862Sat. Rev. 1 Feb. 151 We might perhaps ask..whether rabid abuse of England need be returned by equally rabid abuse of America.
absol.1675W. Mountagu in Buccleuch MSS. (Hist. MSS. Comm.) I. 321 He ill returns to me for all the care and pains I have taken.
b. To repay, or respond to, by a similar courtesy, compliment, etc.
a1674Clarendon Hist. Reb. viii. §243 The earl of Pembroke came to the Chancellor of the Exchequer's lodging to return him a visit. 1741S. Speed in Buccleuch MSS. (Hist. MSS. Comm.) I. 395 We..gave three broadsides... They returned the compliment. 1766Goldsm. Vic. W. xvi, My wife and daughters happening to return a visit. 1824Macaulay in Trevelyan Life (1876) I. iii. 141 To return courtesies which are little else than the blessings of a beggar. 1888A. S. Swan Doris Cheyne i, Mr. Penfold..returned, with some stiffness perhaps, the bow and bland smile with which the intruder favoured him.
c. In games: To respond to (the play of one's partner or opponent). See also lead n.2 4.
1742Hoyle Whist 30 As soon as Trumps are played to you, return them upon your Adversary. Ibid. 33 After he has clear'd the Board of Trumps he returns his Partner's Lead. 1837Dickens Pickw. xxxiv, Why Mr. Pickwick had not returned that diamond, or led the club. 1882Daily Tel. 18 July 2 This was one of the best games in the match, deuce occurring four times, the hard play of both being well returned.
Add:[III.] [16.] e. Racing. To report or announce (a starting price); also, to set (a horse, etc.) at a given price. Freq. in pass.
1951E. Rickman Come Racing with Me xvii. 174 At all the principal meetings, the same two experts ‘return’ the starting prices which accompany every racing result. 1986Greyhound Star Aug. 16/1 Paddy Hancox's charge, returned at 5-2, broke first and soon opened up a lead.
[IV.] [21.] d. Amer. Football. To collect the ball from (a kick or fumble by the opposing team) and carry it upfield; to intercept (a pass) and run with the ball. Also with ball as obj.
1955R. K. Parker We play to Win xiv. 128 It isn't often you play it perfectly and return a kick off for a touchdown. 1963A. Sherman Bk. Football vii. 151 (heading) How to return the kickoff. 1972J. Mosedale Football x. 143 Eight times he returned punts for touchdowns—a record. 1988Touchdown Nov. 21/1 On the ensuing kickoff..Woodson displayed his immense athletic talents as he returned the ball 92 yards for a touchdown. 1991Sports Illustr. 21 Jan. 25/2 Cornerback Mark Collins picked it off and returned it 11 yards to set up a Giants field goal. |