returnn.
/rᵻˈtəːn/, U.S. /rəˈtərn/, /riˈtərn/ I. Senses involving response or exchange.
1. Law.† c. In plural. Forms for a sheriff's report on a writ of execution. Obsolete. rare.
a. The act, on the part of a sheriff, of returning a writ of execution to the court from which it was issued together with a statement of how far its instructions have been carried out. Hence: the report of a sheriff on any writ of execution received. Cf. also return of execution at execution n. 7a.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > administration of justice > process, writ, warrant, or order > [noun] > writ > return of writ
returna1325
a1325 Statutes of Realm (2011) v. 11 Þarase þe sirreue sal maken retorn þoru þe kinges writz to þe louerdes baillif of forcelet, oþer of castel, oþer to ani oþer to weche þe retourn bi þe kinges wriȝt apendeth.
1426 in H. Nicolas Proc. & Ordinances Privy Council (1834) III. 220 (MED) Undershirriefs be wont for to doon execucion of shirriefs offices, þough oþer have þe name, & in hem lyeth retourne of writtes.
c1475 Wisdom (Folger) (1969) 791 (MED) At Westmyster..Þe nex terme xall me sore avawnce, For retornys, for enbraces, for recordaunce.
a1525 Coventry Leet Bk. 303 Þat the shirrifs of þis Citie fromhensfurth fauour all maner persones of þis Citie in makyng their returnes as ferre as they goodely may.
1542–3 Act 34 & 35 Hen. VIII c. 27 §79 The shirefe shall haue for the retourne of euery such byll foure pence.
1655 T. Fuller Church-hist. Brit. ix. 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.
1712 J. Arbuthnot Law is Bottomless-pit xi. 20 Fees..for Enrollings, Exemplifications, Bails, Vouchers, Returns.
1821 J. Bentham Elements Art of Packing 161 The sheriff was and is the person, by whom, in all cases, what is called the return, was and is made.
1884 Law Rep.: Chancery Div. 25 341 The sheriff..made a return of nulla bona to the writ of fi. fa.
1914 Univ. Pennsylvania Law Rev. & Amer. Law Reg. 63 91 It was held that the sheriff having made a specific return is not a competent witness to contradict it.
1967 Trans. Royal Hist. Soc. 17 62 The sheriff denied that he should send any return to the abbot.., but the court ordered him to make returns of writs in future.
2006 R. Sharrock et al. Hockly's Insolvency Law (ed. 8) ii. iii. 34 If the debtor points out insufficient disposable property to satisfy the writ, the sheriff may refuse to attach it and make a return of nulla bona.
b. Each of the periods of a term during which writs of execution must be returned to the issuing court. Now historical.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > administration of justice > judicial body, assembly, or court > a or the session of a court > [noun] > period when courts sit > division of
return1560
1560 Quenes Maiestie Abstynence from Eatyng Fleshe in Lent (single sheet) Before the seconde retorne of Easter Terme.
1577 W. Harrison Hist. Descr. Islande Brit. iii. iii. f. 102v/1 (heading) in R. Holinshed Chron. I A perfect rule to knowe the beginning and ending of euery terme, with their returnes.
1607 J. Cowell Interpreter sig. Mmm4v/2, s.v. Hilary terme is said to haue 4. returnes..and Easter terme to haue 5. returnes.
a1641 H. Spelman Of Law Terms (1684) 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.
1669 S. Sturmy Mariners Mag. ii. 101 Each of these Terms hath several Returns, and each Return hath four Days belonging to it.
1734 J. Gadbury Ephemeris sig. C 3 Every Term has its Basis and Date, as, Hilary, Easter, Trinity, and Michaelmas; but their Returns take their name and Date from other incident Days.
1830 Act 1 Will. IV c. 70 §6 In Easter Term there shall be but four Returns instead of five.
1906 H. T. Terry Elem. Treat. Common Law (ed. 2) lxviii. 728 In each term of court there were certain ‘days in banc’, also called the ‘returns’ of the term, on some one of which the defendant must be summoned to appear, or, in technical language, the writ must be made returnable.
2003 J. Baker Oxf. Hist. Laws Eng. VI. iv. xvii. 328 On the fourth day of the return, the sheriff returned the writ to the court in which the action was commenced with the names of the pledges.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > administration of justice > process, writ, warrant, or order > [noun] > writ > return of writ > forms for making returns
return1620
1620 J. Wilkinson Treat. Statutes conc. Coroners & Sherifes (new ed.) 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.
2. Chiefly Business and Finance.
a. Money, or a sum of money, made by the exercise of a skill or occupation or from investment or trade; gain, profit, or income in relation to the means by which it is produced; (also) the fact or an instance of bringing value in exchange for effort or investment. Also with on (an investment) and (esp. in modern use) in plural. See also return on capital at sense 2e.See also the law of diminishing returns at diminishing adj. 1b, law of increasing returns at increasing adj.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > management of money > income, revenue, or profit > profit > [noun]
earningeOE
issuea1325
lucrec1380
lucre of gainc1386
return1419
feracityc1420
revenue1427
vantagec1430
afframing1440
revenue1440
availc1449
proventc1451
provenuec1487
rent1513
fardel1523
chevisance1535
gains1546
commodity1577
proceed1578
increasal1601
benefit1606
endowment1615
gaininga1631
superlucration1683
profit1697
bunce1706
making1837
bunt1851
plunder1851
yield1877
recovery1931
earner1970
1419 in H. Nicolas Proc. & Ordinances Privy Council (1834) II. 259 (MED) Alwey owre interesse, retorne, coste, and damages..the aventure passid..we summyt us to put yat in yowre governaunce.
1543–4 Act 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.
1692 J. Locke Some Considerations Lowering Interest 19 If the Merchant's Return be more than his Use, (which 'tis certain it is, or else he will not trade).
1717 Visct. Bolingbroke Let. to Windham (1753) 27 The merchant who brought riches home by the returns of foreign trade.
1776 A. Smith Inq. Wealth of Nations I. ii. v. 449 The returns of the foreign trade of consumption are very seldom so quick as those of the home-trade. View more context for this quotation
1833 H. Martineau Manch. Strike (new ed.) v. 58 Your wages consist of the proportion you receive of the return brought by the article you manufacture.
1855 W. H. Prescott Hist. Reign Philip II of Spain I. i. viii. 269 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.
1883 Law Times 20 Oct. 410/1 The Profession will always afford at least a sufficient return to the really competent man.
1918 D. J. Saposs in J. R. Commons et al. Hist. Labour U.S. I. i. ii. 54 In their complaints no mention is made by the bakers of either return on investment, interest on capital, or even replacement of equipment.
1937 W. Lippmann Good Society (1944) ii. v. 77 If wages are proportioned to the product, the coal miner will get a larger return in a good mine than in a poor mine.
1991 Which? Jan. 15/2 Some schemes require you to make a fixed investment every month—if you can't make it, you may find yourself penalised eg by lower returns.
2007 S. M. Bragg New CFO Financial Leadership Man. (ed. 2) ii. v. 85 The return on assets employed as well as the return on equity are the two most commonly used measurements for return on investment.
b. (a) quick return. Cf. S.P.Q.R. n. at S n.1 Initialisms 1.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > management of money > income, revenue, or profit > [noun]
renta1225
winningsc1380
profita1382
profity1432
revenue1433
fruitc1450
luck?a1475
improvement1478
apports1481
penny-rent1502
importance1505
filthy lucre1526
rentally1534
entrataa1538
a quick return1583
incoming1596
entratec1599
advenue1600
coming in1600
income1601
intrade1604
intrado1609
ingate1621
audit1625
increment1631
indraught1633
velvet1901
1583 A. Hawkins in G. Peckham True Rep. Newfound Landes sig. §.iiiv Such, and such commodities he had to sell..Whereby a quicke returne with profit woulde redounde.
1625 S. Purchas Pilgrimes IV. ix. 20 1821 So many by immoderate vse thereof [sc. of tobacco] are corrupted here at home, and the present benefit thereby accrewing in quicke returne, hindreth designes of better consequence there.
1690 N. Barbon Disc. Trade 83 Now the great part of the English Trade is driven by a quick Return, every Day Buying and Selling, according to a Bill of Rate every day Printed.
1753 Scots Mag. July 325/2 What maketh rich, is a small profit and a quick return.
1822 C. Lamb in London Mag. Mar. 284/1 This sort of merchandise above all requires a quick return. A pun, and its recognitory laugh, must be co-instantaneous.
1855 C. Dickens Little Dorrit (1857) i. xiii. 113 What you want is a good investment and a quick return.
1964 Jrnl. Mod. Afr. Stud. 2 276 The Government's economic policy, as it worked out in practice, flatly contradicted its expressed intention of concentrating upon projects showing a quick return.
2006 G. H. Holthaus From Farm to Table v. xiv. 270 What most financial backers want is a quick return on their investment.
c. figurative. Frequently with modifying adjective. Cf. sense 4b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > reciprocal treatment or return of an action > [noun]
gain-giving1489
retaliation1546
reciprocation1561
counterchange1586
return1591
paying back1598
revying1610
gratuity1614
quida1616
retreat?1615
retortion1636
retortment1649
1591 Troublesome Raigne Iohn sig. A3v To seund [sic] them thus On Embassades that not concerne himselfe, Or if they did, would yield but small returne.
1647 N. Bacon Hist. Disc. Govt. 23 Their merchandise was made of the policies and Councels of all Kingdomes and States, and such returnes proceeded as were still subservient to the Roman interest.
1650 Bp. J. Taylor Rule & Exercises Holy Living i. Introd. From the few hours we spend in prayer..the return is great and profitable.
1747 Ld. Chesterfield Let. 27 Mar. (1932) (modernized text) III. 890 Pain and shame, instead of pleasure, are the returns of their voyage.
a1771 T. Gray Ess. I in W. Mason Mem. Life & Writings (1775) 195 The soft returns of gratitude they know.
1804 T. Thornton Sporting Tour through Northern Parts Eng. & Highlands Scotl. 81 Returns of the day, six snipes and one duck.
1859 A. Trollope Bertrams III. iii. 47 Then he had wanted a quick return for his writing. It had piqued him to think that the names of others, his contemporaries, were bruited about the world, but that the world knew nothing of his own.
1917 C. Hamilton Scandal viii. 99 He gave her the reins, and so long as she made some return for his love never grumbled at her recklessness or her intimacy with men whom he, before marriage, would not have touched with the end of a barge-pole.
1974 New York 22 July 76/2 (advt.) Tomorrow, for quick return on your invested time, subscribe for the most recent issue.
2004 R. Koch Living 80/20 Way (2005) i. iii. 37 Luckily, there are always many activities that give us a poor return on happiness for the time spent.
d. A consignment or cargo, an aggregate or class of commodities, which comes back in exchange for merchandise sent out as a trading venture. Also (Canadian) in plural: materials or goods exported in exchange for merchandise. Now historical.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > merchandise > [noun] > venture or return
venture1600
return1614
society > trade and finance > management of money > income, revenue, or profit > profit > [noun] > profit represented by traded commodities
return1614
1614 W. Raleigh Hist. World i. ii. xvii. §9. 492 He had also sixe rich Returnes from the East India, which greatly increased his store.
1663 B. Gerbier Counsel to Builders 109 A very gainfull returne of Amber Greese and vendible commodities in exchange of Iron Tools.
1723 D. Defoe Hist. Col. Jack (ed. 2) 390 The Merchants of Mexico, to whom those Cargoes were separately Consign'd, made the Return..all in Silver, or in Gold.
1789 Act 29 Geo. III c. 68 §155 All returns of Spanish shall be deemed..to be returns of tobacco within the meaning of this Act.
1809 A. Henry Trav. & Adventures Canada i. iv. 40 Here, the returns, in furs, are collected, and embarked for Montréal.
c1890 R. Campbell 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.
1908 C. 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.
1963 G. 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.
1971 Alberta Hist. Rev. Autumn 9 During the next few years he..visited the posts and carried the returns downriver to St. Louis.
2001 L. Keith North of Athabasca ii. 298 In the haste to transport the returns to the Forks, Keith did not press the last ten packs that had come in.
e. return on capital and variants: the financial benefit achieved (or achievable) through the investment of capital or other assets in trade (see quots.), esp. as a measure of performance.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > management of money > income, revenue, or profit > profit > [noun] > return from capital or investment
return on capital1776
pay-off1955
payback1959
1776 T. Pownall Let. to A. Smith 24 A Circuitous Trade or commerce is that by which receiving, with the due profits of the return of capital, some article of trade or some commodity, which is better to go to market with than money, I go to market with that commodity so received.
1807 Rep. Comm. Commerc. State West India Colonies (House of Commons) App. 19 What, according to the best average computation you can make, may be the expence attaching in the West Indies to the production of 1 cwt. of Muscovado or Raw Sugar over and above the produce of Rum,..exclusive of any allowance of return on capital?
1849 H. Scrivenor Railways U.K. Statistically Considered 55 On £4,945,231 assumed return on capital invested on subsidiary lines as per schedule 3.
1879 Pop. Sci. Monthly Feb. 446 Were it found that the average return on capital in publishing was larger than in other businesses, there would immediately be more publishers,and competition would lower the returns.
1938 W. L. Crum in Harvard Business Rev. 16 336 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.
1962 A. 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.
1970 M. 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.
2007 G. Clark Farewell to Alms i. ix. 168 So typically in England the nominal return on assets..provided a good measure of the real return on capital before 1800.
3. † c. gen. A response to a demand; a reply to a letter or dispatch. Obsolete.† d. figurative. Information provided by the senses. Obsolete. rare.
a. The official report made by a returning officer (originally a sheriff) as to the election of a member or members of Parliament or another legislature; the fact of being elected to sit in Parliament or another legislature. Also more generally: the result of an election. †double return: the fact of two or more candidates being provisionally returned to Parliament for the same constituency.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > office > appointment to office > choosing or fact of being chosen for office > election of representative body by vote > [noun] > return or fact of being elected
return1459
society > authority > office > appointment to office > choosing or fact of being chosen for office > election of representative body by vote > [noun] > return or fact of being elected > of two or more candidates
double return1459
1459 Rolls of Parl.: Henry VI (Electronic ed.) Parl. Nov. 1459 §35. m. 12 For eny maner elections of knyghtes..and for retournes of the same, and for almaner retournes of citezeyns and burgeyses..for this present parlement.
1562 in W. H. Stevenson Rec. Borough Nottingham (1889) IV. 128 Sheryffz off cetyes ar, I ges, for eleccion and for retornes.
1659 Mercurius Politicus No. 557. 288 A Report from the Committee of Elections and Priviledges of the Case upon the double Return for the Borough of Malton, in the County of York.
1683 in Colonial Rec. Pennsylvania (1852) I. 268 For ye Reasons advertised in ye Returns thereof, given by ye Sheriff, [it] was not a good Election.
1698 N. Luttrell Diary in Brief Hist. Relation State Affairs (1857) IV. 409 Elections since my last…Weobley, Mr. Price, Mr. Thomas Foley, and Mr. Birch, it being a double return.
1736 Gentleman's Mag. Aug. 437/2 A Petition..complaining of an undue Election and Return for the said County, was presented to the House.
1769 E. Burke Observ. Late State Nation 64 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.
1789 Constit. U.S. i. §5 Each house shall be the judge of the elections, returns, and qualifications of its own members.
1827 H. Hallam Constit. Hist. Eng. II. xvi. 627 The house of commons had an undoubted right of determining all disputed returns to the writ of election.
1853 E. Bulwer-Lytton My Novel III. xi. v. 257 Audley Egerton had no chance of return for his own seat.
1863 H. Cox Inst. Eng. Govt. 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.
1913 Eng. Hist. Rev. 28 79 During the elections for Charles II's later parliaments bribery had already become one of the main instruments by which candidates sought to secure their return.
1917 Electr. Experimenter Jan. 650 (heading) Election returns flashed by radio to 7,000 amateurs.
1966 New Statesman 25 Mar. 414/1 George Wallace first ran for governor of Alabama in 1958... He lost the election, but as the returns came in he made a vow. ‘No one’, he told his faithful followers, ‘is ever going to out-nigger me again.’
1973 A. Broinowski Take One Ambassador ii. 19 He would have been watching the returns in the Senate elections I guess.
2000 D. J. McDonough C. Gadsden & H. Laurens iii. 49 When the assembly met again after a two-month recess in September, it found the election return from St. Paul's to be blank.
b. A report of a formal or official character giving information as to the numbers, amounts, etc., of a subject of inquiry; a set of statistics compiled by order of some authority.census, population return, etc.: see the first element.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > information > reporting > [noun] > a report > formal
report1581
return1618
annual report1724
committee report1776
communiqué1852
working paper1945
1618 Carew Papers in Royal Engin. Jrnl. (1909) Aug. 126 To survey and make a return of the proceedings and performances of conditions of the undertakers, servitors and natives planted [in Armagh, etc.].
1756 G. Washington Let. in Writings (1889) I. 398 A return of the stores at this place is enclosed.
1787 Ld. Nelson 4 July in Dispatches & Lett. (1845) I. 241 Having given Commodore Parker a Return of the Squadron and the services they were employed upon.
1808 Duke of Wellington Dispatches (1835) IV. 16 You will direct the regiments to make returns for the number of canteens and havresacks that they may require.
1863 H. Cox Inst. Eng. Govt. i. ix. 154 Many accounts and papers are obtained from public departments as returns to orders of either House.
1871 C. Davies Metric Syst. iii. 284 The table of a return from the various Custom houses.
1921 Times 3 Feb. 7/2 The Registrar-General's returns for the week..show that there were 21 cases of sleeping sickness (encephalitis lethargica) notified.
1946 Jrnl. Royal Statist. Soc. 109 40 One danger is that people who have no children..will just not bother even to render a nil return [in a census].
2007 R. Lovegrove Silent Fields vii. 190 The Game Conservancy's annual returns (National Gamebag Census) from shooting estates, started in 1961, have included important data on the numbers from 1961–80 (when partial protection was introduced and subsequent Hedgehog returns from estates ceased).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > answer > [noun] > an answer, response > in particular circumstances
answereOE
rescript1531
counterblast1567
responsum1610
return1640
responsum1857
reader-response1923
1640 in J. Rushworth Hist. Coll.: Third Pt. (1692) I. 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.
1652 M. Nedham tr. J. Selden Of Dominion of Sea 471 In a letter of the said Ambassador..wee find this Return, touching the business of the Fisherie.
1655 T. Fuller Church-hist. Brit. ix. 143 The true estate of Ecclesiasticall affairs..may be extracted out of the following dispatches, and their returns.
1780 Scotland's Opposition to Popish Bill 166 Heads of families, in their respective parishes, have received the following returns from those in each parish, who are willing to oppose..any bill which may be brought into parliament for repealing the penal statutes against Papists in Scotland.
1800 F. M. Eden Estimate Number Inhabitants Great Brit. 51 It appears from the following returns, which I have lately received, in answer to a circular letter sent to the ministers of above 200 parishes, that our agricultural population has increased.
1835 Amer. Ann. Educ. 5 87 It was resolved to demand again an account of the state of schools, with the condition annexed, that the districts from which no return should be received, should not enjoy the benefit of the first application of the fund.
ΚΠ
a1806 J. Barry in R. N. Wornum Lect. on Painting (1848) 206 The contraction or extension of our sphere of vision depends upon other considerations than the simple return of our mere natural optics.
e. A statement of wealth in terms of income or property, often with information about expenditure and other circumstances, used by tax authorities to assess liability for tax. Also: a form on which such a statement is made.tax return: see tax n.1 Compounds 1a.
ΚΠ
1815 J. Pickering in Mem. Amer. Acad. Arts & Sci. 3 475 When a person neglects to make a return of his taxable property to the assessors of the towns, those officers doom him.
1870 ‘M. Twain’ Sketches New & Old (1875) 319 A wicked tax-return..calculated to make a man report about four times his actual income to keep from swearing to a falsehood.
1909 Westm. Gaz. 24 Sept. 5/3 Returns may be demanded in every income-tax district in which a person may reside.
1920 A. E. Housman Let. 3 Sept. (1971) 178 The additional trouble in filling up my Income Tax return.
1970 G. Greer Female Eunuch 233 Marriage is based upon this filial relationship of a wife who..has her tax declared on his return.
1989 Accountancy May 54/3 Currently, returns are sent to all taxpayers whom the Revenue think may pay too little or too much tax in the absence of a return.
2007 C. Jones Princ. Business Taxation: Finance Act 2006 e xii. 539 When a return is sent to Customs any VAT that is due for payment, as shown on the VAT return, should be sent to customs at the same time.
f. Cricket. A summary of a player's bowling or batting performance.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > bowling > [noun] > bowling figures or analysis
analysis1851
figures1951
return1975
1975 N. S. Ramaswami From Porbandar to Wadekar xviii. 129 He was a batsman for a crisis and so his real value is not reflected in his final Test return of 872 runs at an average of 31.12.
1976 J. Snow Cricket Rebel 44 My return read nought for 117.
2009 A. A. Mallett One of Kind xvi. 308 Warne bowled 54.2 overs for a return of 8/160.
4.
a. The act of giving or (more usually) a thing given or received by way of recompense, acknowledgement, or reciprocity. Often with for.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > equality or equivalence > [noun] > compensation > that which is given
wagec1400
boot1483
returna1542
redemption1625
a1542 T. Wyatt Coll. Poems (1969) 96 By which retorne be sure to wyn a kant Of half at lest.
1556 A. Vele in R. Robinson tr. T. More Utopia (ed. 2) sig. L. vi For it is recompensed with the retourne of benefytes, and the conscience of the good dede with the remembraunce of the thankefull loue and beneuolence of them to whom thou hast done it.
1603 W. Shakespeare Hamlet ii. ii. 60 King. What from our brother Norway? Volt. Most faire returnes of greetings and desires.
1668 W. Davenant Man's the Master iii. ii That's a valuable return of intelligence from us for what he gave of himself.
1700 N. Rowe Ambitious Step-mother i. i You out-bid my Service And all returns are vile, but Words the poorest.
1788 E. Gibbon Decline & Fall IV. xliv. 395 A grateful return is due to the author of a benefit.
1807 R. Southey Lett. (1850) III. 106 Mr. Aikin has sent me no returns either for this year's reviewing or the last.
1884 Manch. Examiner 17 May 4/7 The Church does not get..any adequate return for the sacrifices she is compelled to make.
1929 A. Huxley Let. 9 May (1969) 311 Now..I can write a letter. It will be a poor return for all yours, because I am not one of nature's letter-writers.
1960 H. Wentworth & S. B. Flexner Dict. Amer. Slang 403/1 One who is put on a payroll as a favor or as a return for past services.
2005 R. A. Spinello & H. T. Tavani Intellect. Prop. Rights in Networked World i. i. 8 Property rights are required as a return for the laborers' painful and strenuous work.
b. The yield of some productive thing considered in relation to the original amount or expenditure. Chiefly in agricultural contexts. Cf. sense 2c.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > creation > [noun] > production > product > produce, yield, or return
gettinga1382
increasingc1384
fruitc1450
increase1560
growth1580
increment1593
brood1600
return1614
produce1650
improvement1706
out-turn1801
bag1858
production1878
1614 G. Markham 2nd Bk. Eng. Husbandman 90 Those rich grounds will sometimes make two returnes in the yeere, sometimes three, which is a great profit.
1626 F. Bacon Sylua Syluarum §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.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics ii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 90 The Swain..Receives his easy Food from Nature's Hand, And just Returns of cultivated Land. View more context for this quotation
1710 H. Prideaux Orig. & Right Tithes ii. 105 Wheat..produceth ten Bushels in the return.
1764 R. Burn Hist. Poor Laws 156 One loom..will make fourteen returns the first year of cloth ready for sale, and sixteen returns every year after.
1799 J. Robertson Gen. View Agric. Perth 174 One hundred and twenty one bolls, an acre, being thirty-eight returns of the quantity of seed planted.
1886 C. Scott Pract. Sheep-farming Introd. p. xvi In the course of a year they give two returns,—the lamb, and the fleece.
1914 C. J. Pfaff Diggers’ Story 29 These [black sand] leads yielded a richer return..than probably any other alluvial workings in New Zealand.
1979 R. T. Antoun Low-key Politics ii. 16 A fourth planted a sack and harvested twelve (a twelvefold return on seed is considered bounty).
2006 K. Segerson et al. in K. P. Bell et al. Econ. Rural Land-use Change ii. vi. 81 The basic land allocation problem is to maximize the total return from the land.
5. † a. A reply, answer, or retort. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > answer > [noun] > an answer, response
answerOE
response?a1400
replication1414
recorda1450
responsal?a1475
responsion?a1475
repliquec1475
responsivec1487
replyal1548
replica?1552
reply1560
avoure1596
interlocution1597
respond1600
responsum1610
returna1616
respondency1617
reasona1635
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry V (1623) ii. iv. 127 If my Father render faire returne, It is against my will. View more context for this quotation
a1617 Sir J. Melville Mem. Own Life (1683) 34 I answered as I thought most pertinent. When he had heard my returns, he was pleased to say [etc.].
1677 A. Yarranton England's Improvem. 194 If any Gentleman..please to put Pen to Paper, in opposition to what is here asserted; I shall give him a Civil return.
1702 C. Mather Magnalia Christi vii. iii. 16/2 Unto those Replies he gave Returns; and unto those Returns the Synod gave Rejoinders.
1751 J. Harris Hermes i. viii. 150 Whose Verses are these?—the Return is a Sentence—These are Verses of Homer.
1796 E. Parsons Myst. Warning III. 260 They had no return to the letters they had written.
b. A thrust, stroke, volley, or blow given in reply to one from an opponent or enemy. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > impact > striking > [noun] > returning a blow > return blow or stroke
countertailc1430
counterbuff?1578
countercuff1589
revie1589
counterstroke1596
after-blow1607
counterblow1655
return1702
return stroke1838
1702 H. Blackwell Eng. Fencing-master 15 These are the Returns upon those Thrusts without Faints.
1789 Mod. Art Boxing iii. 13 A fourth rule in boxing is to neglect no opportunity of giving the Return.
1809 J. Roland Amateur of Fencing 60 Being much nearer your adversary's body to deliver your return (called the riposte).
1842 F. Marryat Percival Keene II. i. 80 The Stella was then put about, and the other broadside given without a return from her opponent.
1863 G. J. Whyte-Melville Gladiators I. 30 If your guard is an inch too high, your return a thought too slow.
1914 J. A. Moss Man. Mil. Training 168 The return can be made a continuation of the parry, as there is no previous warning of its delivery, although it should always be expected.
1933 J. M. Castello Theory & Pract. Fencing (rev. ed.) I. iii. x. 128 Parry your opponent's attack with the opposition parry of 4th and make a return with a double as you extend your arm.
1966 M. Barnes Sports Activities for Girls & Women 153 The opponent's riposte or return then establishes right of way and must be parried before the original attack may again execute a return.
c. Cards. The action or an act of returning a particular card or suit in response to a card played by a partner or opponent.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > card game > [noun] > actions or tactics > specific
discarding1592
facing1635
pull1715
lead1742
return1742
discard1778
solo1814
underplay1850
convention1862
force1862
showdown1870
unblocking1885
false-carding1923
passed hand1924
exit1934
reverse1936
loser-on-loser1947
1742 E. Hoyle Short Treat. Game Whist 16 You may wait to finess your Ten upon the Return of Trumps from your Partner.
1830 R. Hardie Hoyle made Familiar 19 Wait the return from your partner.
1883 J. P. Hewby Whist (Amer. ed.) x. 86 The return of the trump at this point, with the best trump (probably) and three long spades (certainly) declared against him in one hand, is a real gem.
1938 Times 1 Feb. 17/4 A Spade return is won by Z, who leads the 2 of Hearts, and A's Ace is forced out.
1978 Times 22 July 9/4 East led his ♠ 7, in order to..invite a spade return for a ruff.
2002 D. Bird 25 Bridge Myths Exposed xxiv. 184 The enforced return of a minor suit will give declarer a ruff-and-sluff.
6. Sport. A return match or bout.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > match or competition > [noun] > types of
all comersc1450
after-gamea1500
fore-game1594
revenge1616
plate1639
set-to1743
return match1753
bye1754
scrub-race1791
anybody's game (also race, match)1826
return1834
barney1843
bonspiel1858
handicap1861
pennant1865
home-and-home1868
benefit match1871
run-off1873
international1877
American tournament1878
Grand Prix1879
single1884
friendly1885
all-comers1889
pair1890
championship1893
round robin1894
replay1895
Olympiad1896
junior varsity1902
lightning tournament1903
rematch1903
road trip1903
pickup1905
freestyle1906
marathon1908
test1908
Derby1909
scrimmage1910
eliminator1911
twosome1911
triala1914
quadrangular1916
slug-fest1916
varsity match1921
needle contest1922
curtain jerker1923
needle match1923
open1926
needle fight1927
knock-out1928
shirt1930
masters1933
pro-amateur1934
tune-up1934
World Cup1934
pro-am1937
state1941
sizzler1942
runathon1943
mismatch1954
run-out1955
match-up1959
squeaker1961
triple-header1961
Super Bowl1967
invitational1968
needle game1970
major1976
slobberknocker1986
1834 Sporting Mag. Aug. 354/2 The match lasted till Thursday evening. The ‘return’ will be played at Brighton on the 18th of August.
1884 University College School Mag. Apr. 81 On Wednesday, March 12th, we won the return of the match with Christ's College, Finchley, which was played on their courts last term.
1908 Times 27 Apr. 3/6 The match was arranged by Mr. Harvey du Cros, and the return will be played in Paris at Whitsuntide.
1958 F. C. Avis Boxing Ref. Dict. (U.S. ed.) 111 Return, a second contest with a boxer whom one has previously fought.
1977 Daily Express 29 Mar. 32/4 England..could only score four in the return at Highbury.
2005 A. Harvey Football iv. 121 Sheffield won the return at home in March 1866.
II. Senses involving coming or going back (autonomous action).
7.
a. The action or an act of coming or going back to or from a place, person, or condition. Also: arrival after temporary absence or removal.point of no return: see point n.1 Phrases 2f.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > aspects of travel > return > [noun]
gaincome?c1225
retourc1330
gaincominga1340
again-cominga1382
returna1393
again-racea1400
returning?c1400
resortc1425
turningc1440
revertence?1457
repairingc1460
again-goinga1475
regress1478
revenuea1500
reversiona1500
back-coming1535
retire?1538
back-return1577
redition1595
regredience1648
reverter1663
epistrophe1814
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > backward movement > [noun] > return towards point of departure
returna1393
returning?c1400
recoursec1405
regress1478
reverture1495
retraira1500
regression1598
reflexa1613
recursion1616
revolture1633
retroition1651
hark back1798
recover1818
the world > space > direction > [noun] > straight or constant direction > deviation from > a turn > back
returna1393
returning1623
society > travel > aspects of travel > return > [noun] > instance(s) of
efter-chara1400
returna1527
rearrival1738
rentrée1774
go-back1858
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) vii. 4121 (MED) Of the lignages tuelve, Tuo tribes only be hemselve With him abiden..So were thei for everemo Of no retorn withoute espeir, Departed fro the rihtfull heir.
1483 ( tr. G. Deguileville Pilgrimage of Soul (Caxton) v. xiii. f. ciiij The seconde retorne was fro dethe to the lyf,..the thyrdde retourne was fro erthe in to heuene.
1490 Caxton's Blanchardyn & Eglantine (1962) xlvi. 177 Prayeng humbly that a goode retorne & a shorte he myght make.
c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) lxvi. 226 I wyl leue it here with you to kepe tyll my retourne.
a1527 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid (Elphinstoun) (1957) v. x. l. 69 [Syndry coursys and] returnis [maid thai].
1588 H. Oldcastle & J. Mellis Briefe Instr. Accompts sig. Fvij Note that yee register as well the day you send your letters, as the returne of them.
1624 J. Smith Gen. Hist. Virginia iii. vi. 64 In our returnes we visited all our friends.
1670 in 12th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1890) App. v. 15 Uppon the King's returne from his recreations att Newmarkett.
1725 N. Robinson New Theory of Physick 161 The Languidness of the Blood's Motion in its Return from nourishing the Body.
1769 H. Brooke Fool of Quality IV. xvii. 232 When our company were on the return to their lodgings.
a1794 S. Carr Sermons (1795) III. l. 116 The danger ever increases in proportion as our returns to sin are more frequent.
1807 T. Thornton Present State of Turkey vii. 326 D'Ohsson expresses a natural astonishment that Europeans should judge so unfavourably of the Ottomans, as to attribute to their inattention to cleanliness the periodical return of the plague and other epidemical distempers.
1845 M. Pattison in Christian Remembrancer Jan. 82 Immediately on my return to Rouen, I put one of the packages into the hands of the servants.
1884 Pop. Sci. Monthly Feb. 514 Even when my returns to consciousness were very partial, Dr. G–– had made me inhale small quantities of nitrite of amyl to maintain the action of the heart.
1912 Oakland (Calif.) Tribune 18 May 8/3 One reads of the return of Mrs. Keppel to London and the reception that she gave to her friends.
1956 W. R. Russell Poliomyelitis (ed. 2) vii. 73 The absence of a phase of negative or zero intrathoracic pressure is thought to interfere with the return of blood to the heart.
1971 E. M. Waith Ideas of Greatness iii. 155 This unexpected return to the contrast made at the opening of the play is brought about by the caustic reflections of Caratach on the inept generalship of the queen.
1985 E. W. Soja in D. Gregory & J. Urry Social Relations & Spatial Structures vi. 109 When probed for its origins, Lefebvre himself points to the influence of his Occitanian birthplace and his frequent returns home to observe the massive changes taking place in rural land and life.
2005 D. A. Ritchie Reporting from Washington viii. 167 On her return from the Pacific Theater in 1943, she [sc. Eleanor Roosevelt] thought her battlefront report might interest men as well as women.
b. Theology. = Parousia n. 1.
ΘΚΠ
society > faith > aspects of faith > Bible, Scripture > biblical events > Second Coming > [noun]
Second Comingc1400
return1550
advent1736
second advent1736
Parousia1781
1550 R. Hutchinson Image of God f. cxxviiiv Cherubin and Seraphin and all the blessed companie of aungels are ignoraunt of the maiestie of God, for they knowe not the daye of Christes glorious returne.
1557 R. Edgeworth Serm. very Fruitfull f. clxxiii To be well occupied against our lordes returne when he shall come to the iudgemente to sitte on oure audite.
1656 R. Fletcher Poems in Ex Otio Negotium 161 So thy Redeemer lives, and that hee's gone Hence to prepare thy heavenly mansion And when the trembling hearts of them that slew And peirct his pretious body quake to view The terror of his glorious return, When time shall be no more.
1720 T. Brett Disc. conc. Ever-blessed Trinity 264 Expecting the glorious Return of our Redeemer to us; who then shall never leave us again, but will translate us into those eternal Mansions whither he went to prepare a Place for us.
1828 Eclectic Rev. Sept. 204 He does not think it enough, that this earth should witness the return of the Saviour.
1870 Christian 10 Nov. 4/2 This is the hope of the Church—not death, but the return of the Lord Jesus.
1914 J. F. Silver (title) The Lord's return seen in history and in Scripture as premillennial and imminent.
1931 W. Montgomery tr. A. Schweitzer 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.
1970 J. 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.
2005 R. F. Salmon (title) The return of Jesus Christ: what does the Bible really say?: an introduction to this amazing event.
c. A signal to return. rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > indication > signalling > [noun] > signal > other specific signals
return1835
go-ahead1849
highball signal1899
pan1927
go1933
alert1970
1835 E. Bulwer-Lytton Rienzi I. i. i. 21 What ho, there!—sound a return.
1870 Cornhill Mag. Oct. 401 Some boys roamed ahead, some lagged behind, while Catman turned over his pages, sounding the return only when it grew dark.
1913 H. Heard tr. Princess Mathilde Life-dreams 52 A distant horn sounds the return; The world wends homeward with the night.
d. = return ticket n. See also day-return n. at day n. Compounds 3, out-and-return adj.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > transport > transport or conveyance in a vehicle > public passenger transport > [noun] > ticket for a public conveyance > single or return
return ticket1833
single ticket1859
return1865
single1889
1865 F. Abati See-Saw II. 145 Was it a single ticket you wanted, or a return?
1868 Routledge's Every Boy's Ann. 250 I just arrived in time to catch the train, and took a return for C—.
1905 E. M. Forster Where Angels fear to Tread vi. 164 It was an irritable couple who took tickets to Monteriano. ‘Singles or returns?’ said he.
1931 D. L. Sayers Five Red Herrings iii. 41 He had taken a first-class return to Glasgow.
1980 A. W. McCall Green Line xi. 158/1 Agencies were given books of paper tickets on which they only had to stamp the date of issue, write in the fare , and indicate to the conductor whether a single or return had to be issued.
2004 R. Legg Computing (new ed.) x. 146 Class of travel. Return/single.
8.
a. The act or fact of recurring or coming round again. †Also: each of a series of repetitions of an action.In quots. 1855 and 1898, referring to 19th-cent. organs: a reversion to the higher octave in a descending series of notes on the pedals, necessitated by the lack of pipes at the appropriate lower pitches. Cf. break n.1 9b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > frequency > [noun] > recurrence
return1567
revolution1593
recurrence1641
recurrency1652
repeatedness1664
resurgence1798
resurgency1810
the world > time > [noun] > stretch, period, or portion of time > spell of some action
whilec1175
stint1533
crash1549
fleech1589
spell1707
return1763
run1864
fling period1885
go-round1911
jag1913
brannigan1928
1565 B. Garter Tragicall Hist. Two Eng. Louers f. 1 By iust retourne of Lady Ver.]
1567 G. Turberville Epitaphes, Epigrams f. 110v At next returne of Spring.
1589 R. Greene Menaphon sig. C2 The hope of times returne shal be the ende of my thoughts.
1611 Bible (King James) 1 Kings xx. 22 At the returne of the yeere, the king of Syria will come vp against thee. View more context for this quotation
a1706 J. Evelyn Hist. Relig. (1850) I. i. 26 Contemplate we the periodical returns of the equinoxes and solstices.
1711 A. Pope Ess. Crit. 21 While they ring round the same unvary'd Chimes, With sure Returns of still expected Rhymes.
1763 J. Brown Diss. Poetry & Music iii. 35 The Dance is composed of several Returns: Each Return lasts till the Dancers are out of Breath.
1855 E. J. Hopkins Organ 209 The..‘return’ that takes place on the half-octave of keys below.
1898 J. Matthews Handbk. Organ v. 127 When pedals having CCC for their lowest sound were added, beginning at the lowest CC of the GG pedal board, a return or repeat was caused in the pedal scale, the notes in the middle of the pedal board from CC to G being lower than those derived from GG to CC of the manuals.
1921 Internat. Jrnl. Ethics 31 406 There is no scientific reason forbidding a return of the glacial period and a spread of polar climatical conditions over the whole globe again.
1961 National Geographic Oct. 460 (caption) The word itself is short for Tet Nhat, meaning ‘first day of the return of spring’.
1966 Times 10 Aug. 12/5 It would lead inevitably to the situation which had been prophesized by one Labour member—a return of rationing.
2005 S. Burnham in C. Clark Cambr. Compan. Haydn ii. v. 68 A fourth iteration then follows an octave higher, regaining the appropriate register for a return of the theme, now in F.
b. many happy returns (of the day, etc.) (also †many returns (of the day)) and variants: used in conventional wishes and greetings on a special day, now spec. on a person's birthday.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > courtesy > courteous act or expression > courteous formulae [phrase] > expressions of good wishes
God rest you merry1534
rest you merry (also fair, happy)1548
many happy returns (of the day, etc.)1714
1714 W. Taswell Church Eng. not Superstitious Ep. Ded. sig. A2v And to wish we may see many returns of this Day, many happy New-Years.
1779 S. Johnson Let. 2 Jan. (1992) III. 148 Now the new year is come of which I wish You and dear Mrs. Gastrel many and many returns.
1789 Lady Newdigate Let. 2 June in A. E. Newdigate-Newdegate Cheverels (1898) vi. 84 Many happy returns of ye day to us my Dr Love.
1806 Asiatic Ann. Reg. 1807: Misc. Tracts (1809) 144/1 The Hindoos visit and compliment each other, wishing a happy Pongal, or many returns of that Pongal, for the preservation of each other.
1821 C. Lamb in London Mag. Apr. 361/1 Many happy returns of this day to you.
1846 C. Dickens Battle of Life i. 14 The notion of wishing happy returns in such a farce as this..is good!
1854 E. C. Gaskell Let. 2 Sept. (1966) 303 Many happy returns of your birthday.
1861 C. Dickens Great Expectations I. xi. 186 ‘This is my birthday, Pip’. I was going to wish her many happy returns.
1905 T. W. Wilson Langbarrow Hall 325 ‘Hullo! Many happy returns!’ she called, jubilantly.
1953 C. Beaton Diary in Self Portrait with Friends (1979) xix. 283 The telegram was to wish me ‘Many Happy Returns’ of my fiftieth birthday.
1985 A. D. Francis Portugal, 1715–1808 iii. 52 He did not reckon on being attacked in broad daylight, as he was getting into his chaise the morning after his second party to go to wish the king of Portugal many happy returns of the day.
2001 Dunoon Observer & Argyllshire Standard 21 July 9/6 John, who, when here, plays in the village church, has just celebrated his 89th Birthday and, with nary a note out of tune, we wish him ‘many happy returns!’
9. The recurrence or renewal of a condition; esp. a relapse into or renewed attack of illness or indisposition.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > frequency > [noun] > recurrence > a recurrence
sitheOE
timec1275
return1585
retrieve1595
reoccurrence1788
monotone1856
re-run1922
replay1957
the mind > goodness and badness > badness or evil > relapse > [noun] > recurrence or renewal
return1585
recrudency1603
reincrudescence1649
recrudescency1651
recrudescence1665
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > [noun] > stage of disease > recurrence
recrudescency1651
return1694
repullulation1719
recrudescence1884
1585 G. Whetstone Life Earle of Bedford sig. D Retourne of health, which visibly was seene, To tempt this Lord, was but an ydle traine.
1648 J. Duncon (title) The retvrnes of spiritual comfort and grief in a devout soul. Represented by entercourse of letters to..Ladie..Falkland.
a1682 Sir T. Browne Christian Morals (1716) ii. 65 To continue us in goodness there must be iterated returns of misery.
1694 N. Luttrell Diary in Brief Hist. Relation State Affairs (1857) III. 403 The King had yesterday some returns of his ague.
1719 D. Defoe Farther Adventures Robinson Crusoe 7 Like the Returns of a violent Distemper, [it] came on with an irresistible Force.
1797 Monthly Mag. 3 23 It was the return of the frost that did all the mischief.
1840 M. R. Mitford in A. G. L'Estrange Life M. R. Mitford (1870) III. vii. 108 I am better, but have had two or three returns of sickness.
1879 G. 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.
1936 ‘P. Quentin’ Puzzle for Fools iv. 26 A slight return of jitteriness.
1980 C. J. Rosenthal et al. Nurses, Patients & Families iii. 74 Patients who claimed a return of illness when discharge was imminent.
2005 A. G. Barbour in J. L. Goodman et al. Tick-borne Dis. Humans xvi. 280/2 The return of fever a few days later usually then prompts medical attention and diagnostic studies.
10. Computing. The action or an instance of reverting to the main routine after the execution of a subroutine; an instruction which causes a computer to do this.
ΘΚΠ
society > computing and information technology > programming language > program or code > [noun] > elements of flow
link1951
return1952
re-entry point1961
hot link1986
1952 D. R. Hartree Numerical Anal. xii. 270 The address to be used in the ‘link’ instruction, for return to the main program when the process carried out by the sub-routine is complete.
1960 R. L. Gregory & R. L. Van Horn Automatic Data-processing Syst. viii. 269 A subroutine may be used several times..with a return to a different point in the main program each time.
1976 W. Y. Arms et al. Pract. Approach Computing vi. 141 Calling a subroutine and the return from it are relatively straightforward.
1994 M. R. Headington & D. D. Riley Data Abstraction & Structures using C++ i. 9 A return instruction, whereby control returns to the instruction following the subroutine call.
2001 S. Prata C++ Primer Plus (ed. 4) ii. 47 Use return at the end of the function body.
III. Something which changes or has changed direction, or is the means of changing the direction of something. Chiefly Building.† 13. A side street. Obsolete. rare.
11. A side or part which turns away, usually at right angles, from the front or direct line of a work or structure.
a. In appendages to, or minor parts of, buildings, walls, or other structures.
ΚΠ
1449 Contract in R. Willis & J. W. Clark Archit. Hist. Univ. Cambr. (1886) II. 10 The seid houses..extenden in lenketh from the hall in to the hei way with a return of the Chambers ich of ham conteynyng in lenketh xxv foote and in brede xx.
1463 in S. Tymms Wills & Inventories Bury St. Edmunds (1850) 15 My body to be beryed by the awter of Seynt Martyn..vnder the percloos of the retourne of the candilbeem.
1627 F. Bacon Sylva Sylvarum iii. 66 It were good to try the Creating of the Eccho, where the Body Repercussing maketh an Angle: As against the Returne of a Wall, &c.
1664 J. Evelyn tr. R. Fréart Parallel Antient Archit. xvi. 42 This piece stood in the Baths of Dioclesian at the angle or coinage of a return of a wall.
1718 S. Sewall Diary 23 Feb. (1973) II. 886 The Return of the Gallery where Mr. Franklin sat was a place very Convenient for it.
1772 C. Hutton Princ. Bridges 87 They [sc. abutments] must be well reinforced with proper walls or returns.
1834 J. S. Macaulay Treat. Field Fortification 201 Open..a branch gallery, which must be driven to the centre of the wall; then make two perpendicular returns to this branch.
1897 F. J. Burgoyne Library Constr. 218 A counter with returns running across it.
1939 Hesperia Suppl. 2 6 The return at the southwest end forms a right angle and runs for a distance of 2.95 m. until it meets the descending slope.
1983 Belle (Austral.) July–Aug. 80 Larry Blankfield created a wide galley with an L-shaped return for a breakfast area and servery.
2006 F. E. Winter Stud. in Hellenistic Archit. vii. 146/1 The southern return of the wall was somewhat shorter than that on the north.
b. In cornices, pilasters, windows, pelmets, etc.
ΚΠ
1450 in J. Raine Hist. Dunelmensis Scriptores Tres (1839) p. cccxxv (MED) Pro factura ij formpeys, chaumeres, retournes, corbels, transowms, j sol skownsiom, pro ij fenestris, in grosso, lxvj s. viij d.
1665 J. Webb Vindic. Stone-Heng Restored 88 The Pylasters were by the Tool and Mallet wrought, as the Rabbets yet remaining, or Returns in some of them plainly shew.
c1691 in R. Willis & J. W. Clark Archit. Hist. Univ. Cambr. (1886) I. 421 Cutting a hole in the wall..to show the returne of the Cornish.
1723 E. Chambers tr. S. Le Clerc Treat. Archit. Pl. 24 Continued Pedestal with Returns or Interruptions in its Projecture.
1825 ‘J. Nicholson’ Operative Mechanic 616 Internal and external mitres, and small returns, or breaks, are afterwards modelled and filled up by hand.
1859 J. Ruskin Elements Perspective ix. 106 The lines which regulate the inner sides or returns of the windows..are drawn to the vanishing-point.
1908 Carpentry & Building Nov. 364/1 If on the contrary a portico, door hood or window cap is being built which does not form part of a continuous cornice or belt course, and which would therefore have only short returns at the sides, the stock molding may be used for the inclined portions, and the returns raked.
1963 J. Summerson Classical Lang. Archit. ii. 16/2 The piers are only just wide enough to receive the archivolt and the returns of the pedestal mouldings.
1988 C. Clifton-Mogg & M. Paine Curtain Bk. 178/3 Return, the part of a curtain, pelmet or valance that turns round the sides.
2007 J. Von Tobel Design Directory of Window Treatm. 351 Remember to increase the return of the cornice when hanging additional treatments underneath.
c. A wing or side of a building.
ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > parts of building > [noun] > projecting subdivision
outshot1378
wing1523
limb1577
jambc1600
excursiona1626
return1625
flanker1631
pavilionc1676
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > parts of building > [noun] > side
side1340
return1625
1625 F. Bacon Ess. (new ed.) 260 I vnderstand both these Sides to be not onely Returnes, but Parts of the Front.
1669 in R. Willis & J. W. Clark Archit. Hist. Univ. Cambr. (1886) II. 557 The said Building..to have two wings or retournes, each wing or retourne..in length fifty and two foot.
1814 Reg. Park 28 Keeping free the terminations of the streets and the returns of the houses.
1839 Civil Engineer & Architect's Jrnl. 2 249/1 Architects often fail from the poverty and meagreness of the masses and returns. They compose their buildings out of screens and facades.
1890 T. Hopkins Nugents of Carriconna (2008) ii. 6 The south return of the house was the situation chosen by Anthony's father for his own architectural experiments.
1996 C. I. Macafee Conc. Ulster Dict. s.v. Return, an extension to a building.
2001 R. White & R. Darwall-Smith Archit. Drawings of Magdalen College, Oxf. 100/2 The identity of ‘Mr. Parker’ is unclear, as is the question of whether the design pre- or post-dates the facing-up of the New Building's returns in 1824.
12. A bend, turn, or winding. Also: a section extending between two bends.† b. In a line, bar, etc. Obsolete.
a. In a stream, trench, gallery, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > direction > [noun] > straight or constant direction > deviation from > a turn
crookingc1380
turnc1390
bightc1400
crook1486
turnagain1545
creek1596
creeking1610
return1610
sinuositya1774
bend1879
1610 P. Holland tr. W. Camden Brit. 441 This river passing by places lying flat and unholsome, with a winding returne of his water, severeth the Island Convennon.
1633 J. Done tr. ‘Aristeas’ Aunc. Hist. Septuagint 51 The Flood Meander, running with his sinewes, returnes, and windings.
1681 J. Chetham Angler's Vade Mecum x. 71 Sometimes in the Eddies betwixt two streams, and in the returns of a stream he lyes.
1704 Mil. & Sea Dict. (ed. 2) 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.
1738 E. Chambers Cycl. (ed. 2) at Trench This carrying of the trenches obliquely, they call carrying them by coudees, or returns.
1802 C. James New Mil. Dict. (at cited word) These returns, when followed, make a long way from the end of the trench to the head.
1843 C. W. Pasley Rules for conducting Pract. Operations of Siege (ed. 2) II. x. 168 A longitudinal section of the magazine, taken also through the two returns of the trench of communication.
1865 A. S. Moffat Secrets of Angling xi. 221 The first thing in float-fishing is to select a favourable part of the river or pond: such as an eddy in the return of a stream.
2005 E. J. Hess Field Armies & Fortif. in Civil War vii. 159 The work had a trench and parapet but no ditch. Each return in the line was three yards long, while the length of each section between the returns varied.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > shape > curvature > [noun] > a curve
bightOE
crookingc1380
curvature?a1425
bought1519
compass1545
ply1575
reflexure1578
curve1596
circumflex1601
curb1601
flexion1607
flexure1608
round1608
sinus1615
return1626
inflection1658
curvity1705
sweep1715
tarve1848
the world > space > shape > straightness > [noun] > that which is straight > part between two bends
return1731
1626 F. Bacon Sylua Syluarum §170 All instruments that have either returns, as trumpets; or flexions, as cornets; or are drawn up, and put from, as sackbuts; have a purling sound.
1663 Marquis of Worcester Cent. Names & Scantlings Inventions §3 A Cypher and Character so contrived that one line, without returns and circumflexes, stands for each and every of the 24 Letters.
1731 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 37 29 We then put up a Line that was 666 Feet in Length, by eight Returns.
1859 F. A. Griffiths Artillerist's 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’.
1892 Spons' Workshop Rec. 5th Ser. 379/1 To prevent..twisting, a bar is sometimes placed through a part of the blocks, or at right angles to the ‘returns’ close to the block.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > means of travel > route or way > way, path, or track > street > [noun] > side or cross
side street1617
by-street1684
return1756
off-street1793
cross-street1827
rat-run1966
1756 C. Lucas Ess. Waters ii. 104 Cheltenham is a village..with a very few returns and lanes or adjoining houses.
14. Mining. A passageway or shaft for carrying air back to the outside.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > workplace > places where raw materials are extracted > mine > [noun] > passage > ventilation passages or openings
througher1645
thirling1686
air-pit1709
horse-head1747
sollar1778
airway1800
wind-hole1802
bearing door1813
air course1814
downcast shaft1814
upcast shaft (or pit)1816
buze1823
air road1832
raggling1839
thirl1847
brattice1849
intake1849
run1849
trapdoor1849
skailing1850
return1851
wind-road1860
breakthrough1875
wind-way1875
breast1882
cross-heading1883
skail-door1883
U.C.1883
undercast1883
vent1886
furnace-drift1892
the world > matter > gas > air > fresh air > [noun] > supplying fresh air or ventilation > ventilator > passage, shaft, duct, or pipe > by which foul air ascends > in a mine
return1851
vent1886
1851 J. Hedley Pract. Treat. Coal Mines v. 51 The air sweeps across the face, presses towards the goaf, forces the gas from the men, is sent over a portion of the goaf, and carries any liberated gas into the return.
1911 J. Husband Year in Coal-Mine vi. 73 The parallel entry..was a 'return' for the air-current.
1935 H. Heslop Last Cage Down ii. vii. 225 They passed through the trap-doors which cut off the intake air from the return, into the terrific blast of pure cold air rushing along the main intake.
2007 Mining Safety & Health Res. (National Res. Council (U.S.)) xii. 155 Coal mine operators are required to maintain an incombustible content of at least 65 percent in the entries and 80 percent in the returns.
15. The route or means by which an electric current returns to its source; = return conductor n. at Compounds 5. Cf. lead n.2 10a(b).earth, ground return, etc.: see the first element.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electricity > transmission of electricity, conduction > [noun] > conductor > with regard to position
series1831
return1852
outer1900
1852 L. Turnbull Lect. on Electro-magnetic Telegr. 59 The two sets of galvanometers being connected by six wires, one for each separate needle, and one as a return common to them all.
1891 Telegr. Jrnl. & Electr. Rev. 4 Sept. 274/2 For signalling the progress of trains, one rail of each track might form the outgoing conductor, while the returns could consist of small wires.
1907 R. B. Whitman Motor-car Princ. vi. 74 Wire is sometimes used on ignition circuits for the return as well as the lead.
1982 Giant Bk. Electronics Projects vi. 232 The copper border around each PC is ground and should be made common with all other grounds and power-supply return.
2005 T. Williams Circuit Designer's Compan. (ed. 2) i. 10 (caption) Ways to connect power supply return.
IV. Senses involving bringing or sending a thing or person back.
16. † c. Recovery of a thing taken. Obsolete. rare.
a. The act of sending or handing a thing back to the sender, owner, starting point, or source.sale or return: see sale n.2 2f.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > transport > [noun] > causing to be conveyed or sending > back
return1497
1497 in M. Oppenheim Naval Accts. & Inventories Henry VII (1896) 82 The said Retorne must accord with the Indentures of Shipping of the same.
1541 in Proc. & Ordinances Privy Council (1837) VII. 211 A lettre to the Depute..tooching the retorne of the platt.
1671 in C. H. Cooper Ann. Cambr. (1845) III. 550 To John Stiles for ye retorne of ye silver and Gold to & from London.
1797 C. Smith Let. 23 Aug. (2003) 288 Such return of bespoke books was contrary to the rules of the Trade.
1810 Minstrelsey Edmund the Wanderer 53 The little artifice of requesting the return of the manuscript poems..was one of those stratagems a lover feels pleasure in practising.
1824 E. H. McLeod Principle! III. ii. 26 Mr. Stedman had written to her respecting her return of the ring.
1869 Proc. Amer. Philos. Soc. 1865–8 10 187 A letter requesting the return of manuscripts was received from Mr. Julien.
1897 Notes & Queries 8th Ser. 12 215 Many of the papers being sent ‘for sale or return’, and the unsold copies referred to as ‘returns’.
1923 Amer. Jrnl. Internat. Law 17 768 No postage for the return of manuscripts should therefore be included by the sender.
1964 Art Jrnl. 24 52/2 Staff limitations prohibit the return of photographs unless specifically requested.
2000 D. D. Friedman Law's Order (2001) xii. 159 The return of lost articles, especially ones that purr, is a good. But time spent beating the bushes for a lost cat in hope of reward is a cost.
b. Restoration of ownership or control of a thing or place to a person, body, or government; (Law) the allocation of distrained goods to a distrainor or distrainee.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > giving > giving back or restitution > [noun]
restitutiona1325
restoringa1382
restorance1389
restaurancea1400
restorec1400
reddition1449
relivery1463
restorementa1500
restorative?c1500
redeliverya1513
rendering1523
return1534
redeliverance1535
rembursement1579
retribution1583
restoration1608
restoral1611
repetition1649
returnal1651
rendition1652
regift1658
retradition1875
kickback1932
1534 G. Ferrers tr. Bk. Magna Carta f. 60v The sheryfes or bayllyfes from hensforthe shall not receyue of the playntyfes onely suretyes for ye sute before they make delyuerance of the dystres, but also for the retourne of the beastes if retourne be awarded.
1607 J. Cowell Interpreter sig. Nnn3v After a returne of catel..to him that distreined them, by reason of a default in the party that replevied.
1641 Rastell's Termes de la Ley (new ed.) f. 241 Then hee that tooke the distresse shall have againe the distresse, and that is called the returne of the beasts.
1647 City-law Guild-Hall London 29 At what time soever the Plaintiffe makes default, returne shall be awarded to him that hath them, and the return in such case is awardable three times by the custome & at the third time not replevisable.
1704 J. Harris Lexicon Technicum I Returnum irreplegiabile, is a Writ..for the final restitution or return of Cattle to the Owner, unjustly taken by another.
1841 Penny 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.
1850 tr. M. A. Thiers Hist. Consulate & Empire Napoleon I. i. vi. 148/1 He demanded to be paid for these concessions in two ways, namely, by the return of Louisiana to France, and by Spain assuming a threatening attitude towards Portugal.
1921 in E. M. House & C. Seymour What really happened at Paris 482 As to the reparations demand on the return of cattle, I regard that demand as reasonable or even moderate.
1964 Calif. Law Rev. 52 854 Where the judgment debtor redeems by mistake, or there is some other equitable ground for the return of his money, the court may give restitutionary relief.
2007 G. C. Chow China's Econ. Transformation (ed. 2) 428 One example is to forecast the future of Hong Kong's economic and political system before its return to China in 1997.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > acquisition > [noun] > back or again > of something taken
return1544
1544 Late Exped. Scotl. sig. D.iii.v lx. oxen [were] brought away: for ye retorne wherof a nomber of scottyshmen, pursued very ernestly.
17. † b. A part of a ribbon loom: (probably) = tumbler n. 13i. Obsolete. rare.
a. The act of bringing a thing back to a former position; movement by a moving part back to a former position.quick return: see quick return adj. and n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > backward movement > [noun] > return towards point of departure > bringing back to former position
return1638
1638 F. Junius Painting of 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.
1787 T. Best Conc. Treat. 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.
1798 Philos. Mag. 1 3 F the steam valve is opened by the return of the piston B.
1833 J. Holland Treat. Manuf. Metal II. 333 Considerable time is lost between each draw-stroke and the return of the pincers.
1867 F. Francis Bk. Angling vii. 242 In bringing out the line behind over the shoulder, the return must not be made so abruptly.
1916 J. H. P. Brown Mod. Swimming 56 The upper leg advances to take its backward kick with the return of the arm.
1967 T. Gorska & E. Jankowska in G. A. Kimble Found. Conditioning & Learning xi. 167 This is followed by a return of the leg to a normal position.
2003 R. Palmieri & M. W. Palmieri Piano 17/1 The hammer shank is placed vertically, and the return of the hammer after striking the string is secured by a spring attached to the hammer shank's tail.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile manufacture > manufacture textile fabric or that which consists of > manufacture of textile fabric > [noun] > weaving > method of > ribbon weaving > loom for > part of
riding cord1755
tire1759
return1760
swivel1894
swivel-shuttle1894
1760 New & Compl. Dict. Arts & Sci. IV. 2740/1 The returning-sticks, or, as others call them, the returns, or the tumblers, or pullies, to which the tires are tied, to clear the course of cords through the high-lisses.
c. Computing. Usually with capital initial. (The name of) the return key on a keyboard.
ΘΚΠ
society > computing and information technology > hardware > peripherals > [noun] > keyboard > individual keys
space bar1887
function key1930
delete key1963
esc1963
Alt mode1964
carriage return1965
return1965
return key1965
enter1966
Alt key1968
home key1968
arrow key1969
tab1969
control1976
delete1977
control key1978
cursor key1979
Alt1981
delete button1981
escape key1982
hot key1983
1965 E. A. Weiss Programming IBM 1620 i. 6 The function keys..including the carriage return key ( return) cause no printing and put no digits into storage.
1981 S. Dunn & V. Morgan PET Personal Computer for Beginners i. 4 Try typing in other words and pressing Return when you have finished, to see what happens.
1998 C. D. Gray & P. R. Kinnear SPSS for Macintosh made Simple i. 9 In a dialog box, pressing Return has the same effect as clicking on the OK button.
2008 Herald Express (Torquay) (Nexis) 12 Sept. 6 Hit return and Google will do a web search.
18.
a. A thing or person sent or brought back; spec. a ticket or other purchase which is returned to the seller. Chiefly in plural.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > refusal > [noun] > rejection or non-acceptance > that which is rejected or refused
offcasta1387
rejected1593
refusal1618
discarding1731
refused1740
return1749
throwaway1870
discard1888
society > travel > transport > [noun] > causing to be conveyed or sending > thing sent > back
return1749
1749 G. G. Beekman Let. 6 Mar. in Beekman Mercantile Papers (1956) I. 80 I never Charged any Person above 5 per Cent for Sales and returns.
1875 W. S. Jevons Money xxi. 266 Any cheques or bill refused payment are called ‘returns’.
1892 I. Zangwill Children of Ghetto III. 53 He let himself fall backwards, impinging noiselessly upon a heap of ‘returns’ of number one.
1893 Westm. Gaz. 18 May 2/3 ‘The returns’ leave Queensland in good health.
1897 Notes & Queries 29 May 424/2 ‘Returns only’ [on doors of newspaper office].
1902 Chambers'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.
1934 T. Wood Cobbers xi. 132 ‘Any returns?’ says the waitress, challengingly.
1977 Private 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 £3.
2005 P. Masterson Bk. Design & Production 271 Returns, a chronic problem in the industry, may run more than 25 percent for any given title originally purchased by the bookseller.
b. Zoology. = recovery n. 10(a).
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > by habits or actions > habits and actions > [noun] > return or capture of ringed or tagged animal
recovery1909
return1909
1909 Brit. Birds 2 364 The returns for a species so much shot as the Woodcock are shown to be scarcely more than 5 per cent.
1959 Jrnl. du Conseil Internat. pour l'Explor. de la Mer 25 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.
1975 Trans. 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.
2008 S. L. Ulanski Gulf Stream v. 102 The participants..had to catch, tag, and release a large number of fish to be assured of a significant number of returns, which might take years to retrieve.
19. In plural. A substance.
a. Originally: refuse tobacco (obsolete). In later use: a tobacco for smoking, similar to shag but lighter in colour (now rare).
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > use of drugs and poison > tobacco > [noun] > suitable for smoking
returns1789
cigar leaf1865
smoker1880
cigarette tobacco1905
the world > physical sensation > use of drugs and poison > tobacco > [noun] > refuse tobacco
returns1789
1789 Evidence 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.
1789 Act 29 Geo. III c. 68 §155 All returns of Spanish shall be deemed..to be returns of tobacco within the meaning of this Act.
1845 Encycl. Metrop. 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’ Delectable Duchy 322 Who..smoked threepenny Returns in his Louis Quinze library.
1936 W. Macartney Walls have Mouths xii. 267 There he would sit, blending his 'bacca—one ounce dark shag, one ounce light returns, one ounce St. Julien.
b. Brewing. Weak worts blended with the following mash, return worts (see Compounds 4). Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > drink > manufacture of alcoholic drink > brewing > [noun] > wort > from former brewing
brackwoort1577
Blue John1639
after-wort1653
return wort1830
returns1835
1835 W. Black Pract. Treat. Brewing 84 The only way, therefore, in which a brewer can get rid of his returns or old beer, is by a mixture with new and mild beer.
1885 Amer. Chem. Rev. 11 Aug. 119/2 There are other forms of brewery waste which are now looked upon as almost worthless, such as spent hops, ‘bottoms’, ‘returns’, and sour beer.
1907 R. D. Bailey Brewer's Analyst ix. 335 It [sc. a bacterium] makes its appearance, however, in returns.
20. In Islamic law: the proportionate distribution of the residue of an estate to the heirs after allocation of their mandatory shares.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > legal right > right of possession or ownership > right to succeed to title, position, or estate > succession > [noun] > descent by inheritance > that which is inherited > surplus after distribution (Islamic)
return1825
1825 W. H. Macnaghten Princ. Moohummudan Law i. i. 23 The return is where there being no residuaries, the surplus, after the distribution of the shares, returns to the sharers.
1895 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’.
1975 J. N. D. Anderson in in H. B. Liebesny Law of Near & Middle East vii. 200 The usual rule in all the Sunni schools would have initially allotted one-half to the daughter and one-sixth to the son's daughter, and would then have given them (after application of the principle of the return) three-quarters and one-quarter respectively.
1990 J. J. Nasir Islamic Law Personal Status (ed. 2) 337 Return (rudd) is the case when the total shares is less than the estate, in which case the sharers' share shall be increased through return of the residue in proportion to their entitlement.
2008 A. E. Souaiaia Contesting Justice iv. 69 Short distribution refers to the situations where the number of heirs is lower than the number of shares, in which case the heirs will inherit their mandatory shares and the remainder by way of return (radd).
21. Sport.
a. In racket sports, volleyball, and other games played over a net or against a wall: a shot in which the ball or shuttlecock is hit back to the opponent. Also as a mass noun. Frequently in return of service (also serve).
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > racket games > [noun] > types of play or stroke
fault1599
back-hand1657
serving1688
let1819
return1832
ace1840
error1877
rally1879
knock-up1884
drop1900
kill1903
soft kill1910
angle shot1911
retrieve1913
length1924
put-away1932
1832 P. Egan Bk. Sports 226/2 The twisting drop, given gently and quietly from the racket, in consequence of which, the ball, after it reaches the head-wall, falls dead at once, and a return is almost impossible.
1889 H. W. W. Wilberforce Lawn Tennis 37 From the forehand court the return will be either—(a) Down the line... (b) Across the court.
1890 Chicago Tribune 6 July 5/4 Hobart's returns of service were at times remarkable.
1905 G. W. Beldam & P. A. Vaile Great Lawn Tennis Players 111 His return is generally good.
1988 Post-Standard (Syracuse, N.Y.) (Nexis) 17 Mar. 14 Players deliberately served the ball into the net and missed easy returns.
1998 Washington Post 23 July c1 His powerful groundstrokes and return of serve were cheered enthusiastically.
2009 Observer 31 May 12 I've been taking care of my serves and putting returns in play.
b. gen. The action or an act of throwing or hitting a ball back. punt return: see punt n.4 Compounds.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > [noun] > manner of playing ball
bata1400
back-swing1577
banding1589
stroke1662
stop1773
swipe1788
hit1810
straik1820
screwing1825
return1833
volleying1837
return stroke1838
volley1851
swiper1853
shot1868
handling1870
screw kick1870
mishit1882
smash1882
misfield1886
fumble1895
run-up1897
mishitting1900
balloon1904
carryback1905
placement1909
tonk1922
trick shot1924
retrieve1952
sizzler1960
undercut1960
shotmaking1969
1833 J. Nyren Young Cricketer's Tutor 70 He had..such a rapid return..that I have seen many put out..in a single run.
1886 Field 19 June 794/1 Mr. R. D. Walker seemed for once to have lost his power of return.
1891 W. G. Grace Cricket x. 258 The first-named had a wonderfully good return, and knew..at which end there was the greater chance of a run-out.
1897 Sportsman 16 Dec. The return..being a poor one, the first ‘scrum’ was formed on the Oxford ‘25’.
1906 A. E. Knight Compl. Cricketer iv. 143 Inaccurate and wild returns not merely give away runs, they contribute to general slovenliness and slackness.
1972 J. Mosedale Football x. 139 McElhenny embellished the performance with 52 yards on two kickoff returns, 32 on the punt returns.
2000 M. A. Pervez Dict. Cricket (2001) 90/2 Wild throw, a fast and off-target return from a fielder, making it difficult for the wicket-keeper or the receiver to stop the ball.
Phrases
P1.
day of (†the) return n. [compare Anglo-Norman jour returnable (see return day n.)] Law = return day n.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > administration of justice > process, writ, warrant, or order > [noun] > writ > return of writ > day when writ to be returned
day of return1449
return day1623
1449 Petition in Rotuli Parl. (1767–77) V. 169/1 (MED) If the seyd Shirifes mak nat the..proclamacyon..by vertue of the seyd Wrytte, yf hit be to hem..afore viii dayes next afore the seyd daye of retorne be delyvered..the..Shirifes forfette c li.
1474–5 Rolls of Parl.: Edward IV (Electronic ed.) Parl. Oct. 1472 3rd Roll §6. m. 35 At the day or daies of the retourne in the said writte or writtes.
1530 St. German's Secunde Dyaloge Doctour & Student ii. iii. f. viiiv So longe day of returne that fyue countyes myght be holden before the returne therof.
1662 Acts Sederunt Scotl. (1740) I. 51 The Defender's Advocat shall return the Proces, and shall write on the Back the Day of the Return, (seen and returned), and sett his Name thereto.
1829 Times 16 May 3/1 In all cases in which writs, bills, or other proceedings by the course and practice of the said courts may be returnable on any special day of return, such day of return shall be expressed by the day of the week, month, and year only.
1913 Virginia Law Reg. 18 658 The master, as soon as his report is ready, shall return the same into the clerk's office and the day of the return shall be entered by the clerk in the Equity Docket.
1962 Amer. Jrnl. Legal Hist. 6 133 Tothill noted that, if the day of return mentioned in the writ was the last possible return day of the term, the defendant could not appear until the first return day of the next term.
P2.
coach of return n. [compare French carrosse de retour (1690)] rare now historical a coach making a return journey.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > vehicles (plying) for hire > [noun] > hired carriage > which returns to starting-place
coach of return1617
retour1771
1617 F. Moryson Itinerary i. 7 If a man goe thence to Luneburg, he may easily light on a coach of returne at a lesse rate.
1628 Manuscripts Duke Portland (1894) III. 25 Where I found great stores of horses and coaches of return to Bologna.
1984 E. H. Schafer tr. Wu Yün in Monumenta Serica 35 323 They detain me here to banquet in the jade hall: The coach of return will not be ordered in haste!
P3.
clause of return n. chiefly Scots Law (now rare) a provision in a deed, contract, etc., stipulating that a right may return to its grantor in certain circumstances.
ΚΠ
1717 in W. M. Morison Decisions Court of Session (1803) XI. 4343 This estate could not be gratuitously alienated in prejudice of the clause of return.
1777 H. Home Elucidations xii. 78 The nature and import of a clause of return, seem not to be clearly apprehended.
1831 W. Carpenter People's Bk. Introd. p. xliv He can even insert a clause of return in the deed of transfer.
1870 Jrnl. Jurispr. Aug. 443 The destination or clause of return to the heirs of the granter could not take effect.
1954 Session Cases 176 The sole qualifications of the legal effect of any property ‘destination’ are very scarcely illustrated, and require something known to conveyancers as a ‘clause of return’.
P4.
return to nature n. the abandonment of sophistication or urban life in favour of rustic simplicity, especially as advocated in the 18th and 19th centuries; an instance of this. Cf. back-to-nature adj.
ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > district in relation to human occupation > town and country > [noun] > transference to the country
return to nature1801
ruralization1892
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > district in relation to human occupation > town and country > [verb (intransitive)] > move from town to country
return to nature1801
1801 E. Palmer Princ. Nature xi. 118 The remedy consists in a return to nature, and in elevating our views and conceptions above those theological absurdities which have degraded man to a level with the beast.
1829 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. Oct. 594/2 How far soever the taste may have strayed from the primary affections of humanity, still the return to nature is always comparatively easy.
1864 Atlantic Monthly Feb. 183/1 Rousseau prescribed a return to Nature as the panacea for all defect, in Art as elsewhere.
1902 G. K. Chesterton 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.
1978 Times 3 Oct. 14/3 This is not a plea for the simple life, a return to nature, or a general rising against the machines.
2008 E. Hague & E. H. Sebesta in E. Hague et al. Neo-confederacy i. iv. 116 The natural state of affairs was, therefore, proposed to be the way things were before their corruption by the modern industrial nation-state, and opponents to such development could thus argue for a return to nature.
P5.
return to work n. attributive (a) relating to the resumption of work by a person following a significant period of absence (esp. because of illness); (b) relating to the ending or calling off of a strike.
ΚΠ
1906 Rep. Supreme Court Illinois 220 428 The payment of the specified benefit up to the time the injured employee receives his ‘return to work card’ is not a full performance of the agreement.
1926 Times 10 Mar. 16/5 The strike committee's meeting had been arranged for the consideration of the return to work order.
1958 Jet 6 Feb. 14 A return to work vote by 143 striking Bahamas Electricity Corp. workers was seen as the first break in a crippling general strike.
1980 P. Holgate in B. Slaney Occup. Health Nursing v. 84 If there is a doctor, either full or part-time, then the nurse should establish with him a ‘return to work’ policy.
1984 Guardian 15 Dec. 1/8 The TUC proposal is that, as a framework for a return to work agreement, the coal board should not proceed with its..proposals to close 20 pits.
2007 J. Verbeek & E. Spelten in M. Feuerstein Handbk. Cancer Survivorship xxi. 393 A return-to-work plan..in which gradual return to work is scheduled for a nurse who has survived breast cancer.
P6. in return (for, †of, or †to): in exchange (for), as a response (to) or reward (for). [compare Anglo-Norman en return (late 14th cent. or earlier).]
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > equality or equivalence > equality [phrase] > in return (for)
in (the) lieu ofc1290
in return (for, of, or to)1588
1588 R. Parke tr. J. G. de Mendoza Hist. Kingdome of China ii. i. xxix. 225 There was brought forth the present which the Insuanto did sende vnto the gouernor of Manilla in returne of that which was sent to him [Sp. les sacaron el retorno de los presentes que auian traydo al Insuanto].
a1616 W. Shakespeare Timon of Athens (1623) iv. iii. 511 As rich men deale Guifts, Expecting in returne twenty for one. View more context for this quotation
1656 Earl of Monmouth tr. Polit. Touch-stone in tr. T. Boccalini Ragguagli di Parnasso 419 In return of so prostrated a patience.
1719 D. Defoe Life Robinson Crusoe 361 I wrote to my old Friend at Lisbon, who in Return gave me Notice, that he could easily dispose of it there.
1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones II. vi. i. 226 In return to all these Concessions, I desire [etc.] . View more context for this quotation
1769 H. Brooke Fool of Quality IV. xvii. 226 Here are five guineas in return of the pleasure you have given me.
1781 W. Cowper Charity 92 No land but listens to the common call, And in return receives supply from all.
1793 J. Smeaton Narr. Edystone Lighthouse (ed. 2) §249 In return for our continued interruption.., our works had an uninterrupted progression for eighteen days.
1827 O. W. Roberts Narr. Voy. Central Amer. 68 The Indians..brought me a present,..and in return, I induced my friends to follow.
1841 C. Dickens Old Curiosity Shop ii. xliii. 36 They covered her, in return for her exertions, with some pieces of sail-cloth and ends of tarpaulin.
1865 A. D. Whitney Gayworthys xxiii Not officiously or overburdeningly; there were kindnesses accepted, even asked for, in return.
1910 Encycl. Brit. I. 25/1 The revenues of the community were handed over to a lay lord, in return for his protection.
1961 J. Heller Catch-22 (1962) xiii. 131 The girls had shelter and food for as long as they wanted to stay. All they had to do in return was hump any of the men who asked them to.
2007 Esquire Feb. 140/1 33 per cent of British men would give up football in return for a lifetime of good sleep.
P7. by (†the) return, by return of (†the) post: †(a) by means of the ‘post’ or courier who brought the dispatch or message from the sender (obsolete); (b) by the next post in the opposite direction (see post n.3 5). Also attributive in by-return.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > correspondence > sending items > [adverb] > by return of courier
by return of (the) post1646
society > communication > correspondence > sending items > [adverb] > by next mail
by return of (the) post1646
1646 T. Fuller Andronicus iii. xiv. sig. E7v And by the next returne, the newes would bee, that 'twas fallen off.
1737 in Colonial Rec. Pennsylvania (1851) IV. 223 Had this Government been pleased to have answered the last letter..by the return of the Post who brought it.
1753 J. Hanway Hist. Acct. Brit. Trade Caspian Sea II. xxxiii. 200 By the return of the post he may expect an answer.
1789 J. Woodforde Diary 3 July (1927) III. 118 Received a Letter..desiring an answer by return of Post.
1809 R. Langford Introd. Trade 95 I beg you will freely tell me by return of post.
1837 C. Dickens Let. 22 Feb. (1965) I. 237 The best plan therefore, will be for you to write me by return.
1889 E. 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.
1905 J. Joyce 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.
1949 N. Mitford Love in Cold Climate i. ii. 20 She always answered letters by return of post.
1957 Pract. Wireless 33 509/1 A by-return service of all types and sizes.
1980 M. Alexander & S. Anand Queen Victoria's Maharajah x. 183 The Maharajah replied by return of post.
2000 D. Lewis & D. Bridger Soul of New Consumer (2001) i. 9 Part of that ‘fanatical service’ is satisfying its customers' need for a by-return service.
2006 J. Haffenden W. Empson II. xvii. 561 He sent Empson a note of apology..; and almost by return of post he received four well-worn paperback copies of Rex Stout (Nero Wolf) detective stories.
P8. to make return (now chiefly archaic or historical): = return v.1 (in various senses); spec. (a) to come or go back; (b) to give back in return; to repay; (c) to return a writ or judgment; to reply; (d) to make an official report.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > aspects of travel > return > [verb (intransitive)]
to wend againeOE
i-cherrec1000
again-chareOE
again-comeOE
again-fareOE
again-goOE
eft-sithec1175
to turn againc1175
returna1325
attournec1386
turnc1390
recovera1393
repair?c1400
recourse?a1425
to go backc1425
resortc1425
revertc1475
renew1488
retour?1505
to make return1534
to turn back1538
retend1543
to come short home1548
regress1552
rejourna1556
revolt1567
revolve1587
repeal1596
recur1612
rewend1616
revene1656
to get back1664
to take back1674
1534 J. Heywood Play of Loue sig. Biiv Make brefe returne a felyshyp spede ye.
1544 T. Chaloner tr. St. J. Chrysostom Homilie sig. Biiijv We shulde refraine customynge with them, and rather make retourne to our owne noblesse.
1581 W. Lambarde Eirenarcha i. xvi. 115 Then must the Iustice of the Peace..make retourn of ye Writ.
1624 30 Apr. in Notes & Queries 10 Oct. (1857) 285/1 Roger Purdy..shall take downe the Tenor Bell now hanginge in the Tower of the P'ishe Churche of St. Cuthb'ts,..and after the weying therof,..make retorne of the same Bell.
1626 F. Bacon New Atlantis (1900) 15 Wee never heard tell..of any Shipp..that had made returne from them.
1636 J. Trussell Contin. Coll. Hist. Eng. 101 The English Harrolds..made returne, that there were slaine 10000.
1740 Polit. State Great Brit. May 368 In 1716, they [sc. the Government] say, ‘All the Silver Money, which formerly made Payments in Trade to be easy, being now sent into Great-Britain, to make Return for Part of what is owing there.’
1742 J. Anderson Geneal. Hist. House of Yvery II. vii. xi. 514 [They] made Return, that after having searched the Records in their Custody, they did not find that the said Thomas and his Wife Joan had ever..released, or quitted Claim to the said Manors.
1777 G. Washington Gen. Orders 29 Aug. in Papers (2001) Revolutionary War Ser. XI. 89 Each Brigadier is to make return immediately to the Quarter Mr General of the number of Arm-Chests necessary for carrying safely, all the spare arms.
1783 J. Hoole tr. L. Ariosto Orlando Furioso III. xxiiii. 137 When from her couch Aurora made return, With many-coloured beams to paint the morn, [etc.].
1792 Universal Mag. Oct. 260/2 This was our recompence, and the most affectionate method of making return for our benevolence.
1812 J. Wilson Isle of Palms 407 Full many a wanderer to the paths of peace Ere now hath made return.
1846 J. C. Hare Mission of Comforter I. ix. 355 We have much to atone for, numberless blessings to make return for.
1868 Friend 41 240/1 The sergeant at arms made return that he had personally served on the President the notice of the Court, ordering him to appear and answer.
1912 R. C. Armstrong tr. S. Ninoyima in Just before Dawn ii. i. 178 A younger brother should make return to his older brother for his favor.
1927 W. A. Morris Medieval Eng. Sheriff viii. 212 For upon the back of each returnable writ he was supposed to make return unless the lord of the franchise had this peculiar privilege.
1957 D. L. Sayers tr. Song of Roland 157 Yesterday Charles towards the passes went; To make return to France was his intent.
1997 J. E. Lendon Empire of Honour ii. 68 And the moral ghastliness of the man who failed to make return for favours he was given was never in question.
2006 S. Harrison Fracturing Resemblances 5 We give because we expect others to make return for what they receive.
Compounds
C1. Relating to the return or returning of a person or thing to a place or sender, often by a mode of transport or delivery service.
return boat n.
ΚΠ
1705 I. Phipeny Innocency of Captain Green 1/2 Captain Wooley..was taken by the Pirates in the prosperous and speedy return boat, near Mayotta.
1858 National Mag. July 68/2 Long before Sunday noon was at hand we were mentally on the look-out for the return-boat.
1902 Times 28 Apr. 8/6 The return boat will start from Waterford at 10pm.
2003 S. Hudgins Other Side Russia (2004) v. 118 The next morning we nearly missed the return boat. Scheduled to depart at seven o'clock, it took off ten minutes early.
return box n.
ΚΠ
1786 Trial of Michael Walker, Richard Payne, & John Cox No. 1 viii. 146 The number of letters were fifteen, which were so taken out of the return box.
1852 C. Brontë Let. 25 Mar. in E. C. Gaskell Life C. Brontë (1857) II. x. 247 I have..sent off to-day, per rail, a return-box of Cornhill books.
1921 R. B. Westerfield Banking Princ. & Pract. V. lix. 1234 Items returned, whether protested or not, are held in a return box a week or ten days before they are returned to the remitter.
2002 Elem. School Jrnl. 102 282/2 Some teachers placed completed and sealed questionnaires in a specific return box located in the faculty lounge.
return bus n.
ΚΠ
1858 Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper 4 July 2/2 While going along a road which is very narrow, a return 'bus was met, which caused both vehicles to run close to the hedge side.
1952 Bull. Amer. Schools Oriental Res. No. 125. 20 He arrived by bus from Amman, which left him only an hour or so at the dig..before catching the return bus.
2003 Bristol Evening Post (Nexis) 20 Oct. 10 I finished my business in town and waited at 10.30am for the return bus which is supposed to have arrived at 10.35am.
return cargo n.
ΚΠ
1760 Lords Commissioners of Appeals for Prizes: Elizabeth Galley 1 To sell and dispose of the said Goods, and with the Produce thereof, to purchase for them a Return Cargo for Rotterdam.
1781 D. Ross Let. 17 Mar. in T. Jefferson Papers (1952) V. 170 That the Agent for the Public abroad have the Liberty to ship a like Proportion of the Return Cargo.
1827 O. W. Roberts Narr. Voy. Central Amer. 51 Sufficient for a return Cargo.
1838 Penny Cycl. XI. 23/2 The return cargo was generally more valuable than the investments.
1920 Times 9 Apr. 9/3 In the performance of this task he is devoting the resources of his organization to securing return cargoes.
2000 Jrnl. Amer. Oriental Soc. 120 691/2 The first Dutch ship that made a voyage to the Persian Gulf in the nineteenth century (in 1824) took among its return cargo 300 kg of opium.
return chaise n. now historical.
ΚΠ
1763 J. Boswell Let. 19 July in Lett. addressed to Rev. W. J. Temple (1908) 24 I accompanied him to Hounslow, and returned to town in the return-chaise.
1798 G. Thompson Sentimental Tour 20 Falling in with a return-chaise, I agreed with the driver for a cast—So far, for so much.
1824 M. R. Mitford Our Village I. 8 A sort of open square, which is the constant resort of carts, waggons, and return chaises.
1929 Times 21 Mar. 17/6 I was not much cast down, but got away to Oxford the same night in a return chaise.
return coach n.
ΚΠ
1703 tr. L. de Lahontan New Voy. N.-Amer. II. 248 I met with the favourable opportunity of a return Coach bound for Amsterdam.
1835 N. Hawthorne in New Eng. Mag. May 342 He tells her not to expect him positively by the return coach.
1949 Times 27 June 1/1 Return coach to connect with train leaving Newbury 4.58pm.
2009 South Wales Echo (Nexis) 26 Sept. 10 Price includes: Return coach from a range of local pick up points.
return fare n.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > fees and taxes > [noun] > fare > return
back-fare1657
return fare1800
1800 New Hist. City of Edinb. (ed. 4) 155 If desired, the Coach must remain in waiting, without any charge for time, one half hour for every sixpence of return fare.
1860 Times 18 Apr. 12/6 The return fares by this route have been reduced.
1923 Amer. Jrnl. Nursing 24 204 Some have had to take positions as waitresses in order to earn enough for their return fare.
1976 Eastern Evening 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.
2002 J. Bindloss & C. Lucas Scotland's Highlands & Islands 87/2 No-frills carriers, who make most of their sales on-line, often make one-way tickets available at half the return fare.
return flight n.
ΚΠ
1821 Times 11 Aug. 2/5 Sixty-nine pigeons having been brought from Liege to Paris, were permitted to begin their return flight on the 29th of July.
1878 R. B. Smyth Aborigines Victoria I. 317 The Womguim, the weapon that has a return flight.
1909 Outlook 23 Oct. 381 The number who saw the return flight of the aviator at the Battery was estimated to be 100,000 more than had witnessed him go up the river.
1966 M. Woodhouse Tree Frog x. 74 I've booked my return flight.
2006 Carve Surfing Mag. Sept. (Surfgirl Mag. Suppl.) 36/1 Even though you may have set a return date the airline will still regard your ticked as ‘open ended’, meaning that you can change the date of your return flight.
return flow n.
ΚΠ
1843 W. B. Carpenter Pop. Cycl. Nat. Sci.: Animal Physiol. v. 214 The return-flow through the veins being now unobstructed, the stream from the orifice immediately diminishes.
1916 Long Island Med. Jrnl. 10 320 The return flow through the duct tube contained mucus and thick stringy material.
2001 Times 29 Jan. i. 9/3 A return flow of plasma that occurs when the solar wind buffets the magnetosphere and distorts its shape.
return half n.
ΚΠ
a1911 D. G. Phillips Susan Lenox (1917) I. viii. 126 He had the return half of his own ticket.
1952 ‘J. Tey’ Singing Sands iv. 63 ‘So he had a return ticket.’ ‘Yes. The return half was in his wallet.’
2006 How Fair are Fares: 6th Rep. Transport Comm. (House of Commons Session 2005–6 HC 700) II. App. 5.148 Whilst the return half of such tickets may be available for use on an evening peak time train, the outward half of the equivalent ticket may not.
return horse n.
ΚΠ
1748 T. Smollett Roderick Random II. lx. 259 Without taking leave of my friends I embarked, Strap having the good fortune to find a return horse.
1909 E. A. Mills Wild Life Rockies 116 The miner hires a return horse, rides it to the mine, and then turns the horse loose.
return journey n.
ΚΠ
1812 J. Mawe Trav. Interior Brazil xvii. 290 The mules on the return-journey are all loaded with salt, iron, cheap cotton- prints, woollens (particularly baizes), hats, fire-arms, powder and shot, and a variety of artificers' tools.
1865 Daily Tel. 13 Dec. 5/4 I found that everybody was coming back again, and I performed the return journey.
a1933 J. A. Thomson Biol. for Everyman (1934) II. 908 The Pacific golden plover winters in the Sandwich Islands and nests in distant Alaska; on its return journey, at least, it seems to fly without any rest for 2,000 miles across the pathless sea.
2000 R. W. Holder Taunton Cider & Langdons v. 24 The best you can hope for is a full load outward bound, and bits and pieces which make up part of a load for part of the way on the return journey.
return load n.
ΚΠ
1807 Gentleman's Mag. June 512/1 The merchants carefully deposit the Gypsum..and fell it at a large profit to the Planters, who take it as a return load in their waggons.
1913 L. M. M. Jones & H. M. 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.
2000 R. W. Holder Taunton Cider & Langdons viii. 40 A Londoner who proved adept at obtaining work in boxed meat from Smithfield market to provide return loads in place of the carcasses which were being brought up from the west country.
return omnibus n.
ΚΠ
1846 Amer. Whig Rev. Feb. 152/2 The conductor had only misunderstood you, and kindly offers to make what amends he can, by taking you, for an additional sixpence, by the return omnibus to the place at which he took you up.
1860 A. 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.
1935 Times 5 Nov. 15/6 He had four hours to wait for his return omnibus.
2007 C. Kandel Scarlet Stockings ii. 137 ‘What time will the matinee be over?’ Daphne asked anxiously, mentally reviewing the return omnibus schedule.
return passenger n.
ΚΠ
1832 Boston Med. & Surg. Jrnl. 25 July 379 It was ascertained that five out of the seven first cases were return passengers from on board the Voyageur steam boat.
1864 M. J. Higgins Ess. (1875) 187 The return passengers by the Palmaria almost always have to walk home from the port on foot.
1927 Univ. Pennsylvania Law Rev. 75 703 The complainant who saw the defendant take passengers in his auto between certain towns, take money and solicit return passengers.
2005 M. R. Phillips Dream of Freedom iii. xxvi. 258 The train is waiting for return passengers.
return ship n.
ΚΠ
1673 E. W. Several Remarkable Passages conc. Hollanders 15 The King committed him to prison, where he remayned two years and upwards untill some returne Shipps came from the East-Indies.
a1684 J. Evelyn Diary anno 1680 (1955) IV. 212 I went to visite a French Stranger,..who having ben thrice at the East Indias, Persia & other remote Countries, came hither in our returne ships from those parts.
1748 Considerations Advantages of Yielding to Spain Assiento Contract 24 The Opportunity of the Company's empty, Return-Ships, by which their new-raised Products might be transported to Europe.
1847 Times 11 Nov. 4/2 The return ships of the West India merchant are now to be allowed to call at such ports of the African coast as are free from the slave trade.
1958 Geogr. Rev. 48 416 The return ship was on hand, but the destruction of Port Martin left the relief party under René Garcia no place to live.
2001 P. Lanfranchi & M. Taylor Moving with Ball v. 150 Some players found it impossible to settle and were quickly on the return ship home.
return spring n.
ΚΠ
1825 ‘J. Nicholson’ Operative Mechanic 509 The small return-spring should be as thin as possible at the end fastened to the other spring.
1919 Brotherhood Locomotive Engineers' Jrnl. 53 897/2 Q. What is the purpose of the return spring in the brake valve? A. To automatically return the valve to running position.
2000 Sportsboat & Waterski Internat. No. 5. 68/2 Inspect the return springs for stretch.
return train n.
ΚΠ
1832 New Eng. Mag. Aug. 173/1 They may dine at 2 p.m. take the return train at three, and arrive in Schenectady in time for the six o'clock train.
1933 Musical Times 74 258/1 The time of departure is 8.30 a.m. from Euston, and the return train will arrive at Euston at 5 a.m. on Sunday morning.
2007 J. D. Francis Entry in Train Reg. i. 10/2 The return trains would head back during the evening, full of happy or disappointed fans.
return trip n.
ΚΠ
1826 New-Harmony (Indiana) Gaz. 22 Mar. 207/1 After landing the goods and passengers, the boat immediately proceeded on her trip..up the river... The boat may be expected here, on her return trip, on Saturday.
1901 Times 27 Dec. 8/2 The famous Empire State express, which is timed to do the journey from New York at 53.58 miles an hour, but on its return trip only does 47.63.
2005 L. H. Kaufman Leaders Count v. 110 Many truckers saw an opportunity to generate revenue from their otherwise empty return trips by carrying vegetables, fruit, or grain.
return voyage n.
ΚΠ
1762 T. Cunningham Merchant's Lawyer II. 265 The ship arrived at Gibraltar in June, and was loaded with wines by the freighter's correspondent for her return voyage.
1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. 570 A ship on a return voyage is not generally liable [to confiscation].
a1933 J. A. Thomson Biol. for Everyman (1934) II. 1386 On his return voyage from a visit to Europe he was interested to see on the breakfast-table one morning a lively female of the clover-leaf weevil.
2005 Ships Monthly Oct. 47/4 The Third Officer was flown to New York and given passage home on City of Pretoria which was then lost with all hands in the North Atlantic on her return voyage.
C2. Relating to change of direction, esp. at right angles or so as to double back in the former direction. Also: that returns or goes backwards and allows or causes the return of something, typically something flowing.† return desk n. Obsolete rare
return angle n.
ΚΠ
1676 J. Moxon Regulæ Trium Ordinum 51 Placing one Foot of your Compasses on the Return Angles.
1870 F. R. Wilson Archit. Surv. Churches Lindisfarne 94 The masonry at the return angle of the nave is likewise Saxon.
1925 Jrnl. Rom. Stud. 15 102 Three fragments existing at Castel S. Angelo, one having a return angle.
1993 Collins Compl. DIY Man. (new ed.) iii. 171/1 The coving must be longer than the wall, and must extend up to the line of the return angle drawn on the ceiling.
2006 E. M. Petrie in C. A. Harper Handbk. Plastics Technol. vii. 7.3.1 A shallow return angle easily separates, and a 90° angle is permanent.
return arm n.
ΚΠ
1844 Holyhead & Portdynllean Harbours in Accts. & Papers XLV. 8 From the extremity of the second division it is proposed to make a return arm 900 feet in a N.E. by N. direction across the stag rock.
1861 S. Smiles Lives 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.
1964 Times 21 Sept. iii/2 A deep water quay, 1,600 ft long on the main arm and 250 ft long on the return arm, has been built so that ships can berth alongside.
2005 D. Newton & F. Sambell in L. D. Newton Meeting Standards in Secondary Sci. vi. 92 Ask the students to find the current in one arm of a series circuit and then to predict what it will be in the return arm.
return bend n.
ΚΠ
a1884 E. H. Knight Pract. Dict. Mech. Suppl. 754/2 Return Bend, a U-shaped pipe coupling for uniting the ends of pipes.
1949 Our Industry (Anglo-Iranian Oil Co.) (ed. 2) iii. 98 These return bends incorporate plugs and other means of opening so that the inside of the tubes can be cleaned and inspected.
2002 R. D. Treloar Plumbing: Heating & Gas Installations (ed. 2) v. 218 The fill-up connection should be suitably capped and the vent fitted with a return bend to prevent then entry of water.
return block n.
ΚΠ
1888 Lockwood's Dict. Mech. Engin. Return Block, a snatch block.
2004 W. B. Dinsmoor & W. B. Dinsmoor Propylaia to Athenian Akropolis II. ii. xiv. 220/2 The new inner block is not mitered for its entire width,..but only for 0.06 m, the depth to which it is cut back to receive the end of the return block.
ΚΠ
a1600 in J. H. Parker Gloss. Terms Arch. (1850) I. 386 Ye chapel..wth iij stooles on ye one side and a retorne desk at the ende.
return flue n.
ΚΠ
1806 B. M'Mahon Amer. Gardener's Cal. 87 If there is no return flue to be in front, which is not necessary in a house of moderate dimensions, let this flue be carried so that the covering tiles and plaister may be within three inches of the level of the front and end walls.
1888 Lockwood's Dict. Mech. Engin. Return Flues, the flues of Cornish, Lancashire, and Wagon boilers.
1938 Pop. Mech. Aug. 137A/1 The return flue boiler, favored by many early designers, was revived in improved form several years ago.
return piece n.
ΚΠ
1683 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises II. 186 Its end..hath a small Return piece..made square to the under-side of the Rod.
1863 Newton's London Jrnl. Arts & Sci. 17 16 It will be seen that the pin plate B, is of the shape of the letter L, having a return piece B¹, perpendicular to the flat part where the pins enter.
1922 Proc. Royal Soc. A 101 329 There is an uncertainty, also, due to the return piece QP being on a different cylinder to the helix.
2007 Compl. Guide Finishing Walls & Ceilings 203/3 Cut a miter on the return piece, then cut it to length with a straight cut so it butts to the wall.
return pipe n.
ΚΠ
1829 J. Rayner Patent in London Jrnl. Arts & Sci. 3 308 A return pipe entering at the nozzle c.
1839 Civil Engineer & Architect's Jrnl. 2 306/2 H the return-pipe.
1922 Gas Manuf., Distribution & Use (Brit. Commerc. Gas Assoc.) ii. 57/2 Connect its pipes with the flow and return pipes from the coal-range boiler.
1993 Collins Compl. DIY Man. (new ed.) ix. 411/1 The main draincock for the system will normally be in the return pipe near the boiler.
return side n.
ΚΠ
1679 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises I. ix. Explan. Terms 171 Either the adjoyning sides of the Front of an House or Ground-plot, is called a Return-side.
1683 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises II. 52 A square Iron Plate..with Return Sides about six Inches long each side.
1842 J. Gwilt Encycl. Archit. Gloss. 936 Bolster, the baluster part of the Ionic capital on the return side.
1937 Times 23 Dec. 13/4 By facing the return sides of the piers with mirrors the illusion is created of a continuous run of window.
1998 Art Bull. 80 368/1 This ‘stone tapestry’ was separated into sections by continents, with France at the center of the front facade, Africa to the left, Asia to the right, Oceania on the return side toward Paris, and the American colonies on the other return.
return valve n.
ΚΠ
1864 Newton's London Jrnl. Arts & Sci. 20 103 By means of the return valves, part of the water can be allowed to run back.
1954 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) A. 247 75 The return valve to the pump was open so that no pressure could be generated in the vessel.
2001 Pop. Mech. June 96/3 Open the intake and return valves.
return wall n.
ΚΠ
1771 W. Newton in tr. Vitruvius Archit. v. iii. 109 (note) Running up from the lowest degree till they met the return walls of the scene.
1838 Civil Engineer & Architect's Jrnl. 1 330/1 Opposite the return walls, and sometimes at certain distances in the length.
1912 Burlington Mag. Apr. 16/2 Nothing remains of it except the return walls now forming buttresses to the west side of the tower.
2001 Archit. Hist. 44 193 The rubble masonry of the north and south return walls must be contemporary with the west façade.
C3. Played, given, or done in return, or taking place after a first.
return buffet n.
ΚΠ
1859 G. W. Thornbury Life in Spain I. ix. 201 Once, such an insult would have sent the blood in a rush to my head, and I had died but I had given a return buffet.
1883 R. 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.
1916 G. L. Kittredge Stud. Gawain & Green Knight ii. ii. 297 There can be no doubt that the return buffet came in where it should.
1999 G. Rogers et al. in W. R. J. Barron Arthur of Eng. vi. 202 For Gawain this restraint seems to be the culmination of the test but it is merely confirmation of his suitability for the task ahead, as the Turk's refusal to strike the return buffet indicates.
return entertaining n.
ΚΠ
1899 ‘M. Twain’ in Forum (N.Y.) Mar. 29 You can judge..what sort of return-entertaining she has done.
1938 M. Armstrong Fanny Kemble vii. 72 Carriages were expensive, and return entertaining, in the lavish way that was the only way her parents enjoyed, was out of the question.
2000 R. Cassy & V. Scriven Everything you need to know about Gardening (2002) 67 (caption) Gardening is about give and take. It's like the courtesy of return entertaining.
return fixture n.
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1879 Derby Mercury 27 Aug. 2/6 At Derby was the next match, which was the return fixture of the one last noticed.
1954 Times 9 Jan. 4/4 Lee, who lost..to Purley in the first championship game on October 10, will not receive Purley for the return fixture until April 3.
2006 D. Wangerin Soccer in Football World 231 After losing 1-0 in Costa Rica, the US found itself playing the return fixture before 1,000 or so visiting fans..in St Louis.
return thrust n.
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1859 Titan Feb. 161/1 Return thrusts were of course abundantly dealt.
1861 G. Chapman Rev. Art Fencing i. 19 The direct return thrust (Repost)..should be delivered with the greatest rapidity.
1920 M. C. Jones tr. R. Recouly Foch, Winner of War xiii. 232 His foil, instead of touching your breast, meets only empty air—and you choose that second to get in your return thrust.
2008 M. Mayhue Soul of Highlander xix. 254 Caden feinted to his left before attacking from the right, handily dodging Ramos's return thrust.
return tie n.
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1957 Times 16 Jan. 3/5 They will play this match with their eyes fixed hopefully on the return tie in Manchester on February 6.
2009 Briston Evening Post (Nexis) 13 Mar. 53 The winner of the return tie on March 29 will be crowned champions of the Bristol and District League.
return visit n.
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1811 L.-M. Hawkins Countess & Gertrude II. xli. 350 Emerged from her disgrace, she was associated in the return-visit to Mrs. Maltravers.
1888 G. O. Seilhamer Hist. Amer. Theatre before Revol. 126 Mr. Douglass had a prosperous season in Newport in 1761, and it is not unlikely that his success tempted him to make a return visit to Rhode Island's capital the next year.
1969 Black Belt Sept. 44/2 The Prince of Wales paid a return visit to the Japanese crown prince.
2004 Time Out 31 Mar. (Guide to Greenwich, Docklands & Tower Hill Suppl.) 7/2 Many people who visited the Tower of London on school trips or with parents might recall a rather dark, history-heavy experience, but it really is worth a return visit.
C4. Mixed senses.
return leg n.
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1878 Minutes Proc. Inst. Civil Engineers 53 117 The water..tumbled down on the other side in the return leg of the stand-pipe.
1913 W. Hutton Hot Water Supply & Kitchen Boiler Connections vi. 61 The heated water in the boiler is being forced upwards to balance the cold water in the return leg of the secondary circulation loop.
1941 Geogr. Rev. 31 472 On the return leg of this flight the plane followed two of the valley troughs that radiate from the so-called ‘traffic circle’ described below.
1957 Times 14 Mar. 14/6 The England football team set forth to face Denmark in the return leg of the World Cup qualifying competition.
1987 J. Gunn Challenging Horizons ii. ix. 225 The Sydney–London leg was completed fifty minutes behind schedule and the London–Sydney return leg fifteen minutes ahead of schedule.
2001 FourFourTwo Aug. 77/2 The return leg was equally tense, especially when Bayern went 1–0 up after only five minutes.
2008 P. K. Nag Power Plant Engin. (ed. 3) vi. 383 It has a moving packed bed in the return leg and a less dense bed in the furnace into which the solid is fed.
return line n.
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1670 J. Moxon Pract. Perspective iii. 11 All Right Lines that in a Geometrick Figure return from the Orthographick or fore-right side, in a Scenographick Figure run into the Horizontal Line... All Lines that in the Geometrick Figure are Parallel to that return-line, shall in a Scenographick Figure be drawn from that point found in the Horizon.
1751 W. Halfpenny tr. A. Palladio 1st Bk. Archit. 10/1 Draw the Return Lines of the Plinths tending to the Point of Diminution.
1840 Morning Chron. 7 May 5/6 A man was lying drunk upon the return line, about two miles from that station.
1922 S. E. Dibble Plumbers' Handbk. xii. 489 A return line pitching in the opposite direction carrying back..the condensation and air.
1998 Transport News Aug. 26/1 Fuel feed and return lines from the engine are connected to the dialysis system.
C5. † return charge n. Obsolete an electric charge which is gradually and spontaneously re-established in an electrical device or instrument after it has been discharged.
return ace n. Tennis colloquial a return of serve that wins the point.
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1983 Times 31 Oct. 20/1 Lendl broke his opponent's service with a return ace in the eighth game to win the second set 6-3.
2012 R. Clauson Junior Tennis Excellence 66 Give your opponent reason to fear your return. A return ace counts just as much as a service ace.
return address n. the address to which a postal item is to be returned in case of non-delivery, or to which an answer or response is to be sent.
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society > communication > correspondence > sending items > [noun] > addressing letter > address > return address
return address1841
1841 Christian Observer Nov. 670 There is also somewhat of peremptoriness in sending a card ready cut, to receive coin, to thousands of strangers, with a return address and stamp, as if not allowing the party any option.
1876 E. W. Keyes Hist. Savings Banks U.S. II. lvii. 391 A prepaid envelope, with return address, was uniformly inclosed.
1928 Publishers' Weekly 30 June 2605 All envelopes must carry the name and return address of the sender in the upper left hand corner.
1996 N. Gibbs et al. Mad Genius 72 The return address on the package had included the street name Ravenswood.
2009 E. R. Babbie Pract. of Social Res. (ed. 12) iii. ix. 270/2 When the questionnaire is folded a particular way, the return address appears on the outside.
return air (a) Mining air contaminated with coal dust and gas which is pumped out of a mine; (b) air which is returned from a heated or refrigerated space for processing and recirculation.
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1820 Edinb. Encycl. (1830) XIV. 367/1 The circulation or return air passes up the other side of the pit.
1910 F. Haas in G. S. Rice Explosibility Coal Dust 154 The temperature and humidity of the return air of certain large mines.
1919 Trans. Amer. Soc. Heating & Ventilating Engineers 1918 24 138 For return air to a furnace we will put a little 16 by 24 in. register in the hall floor.
1957 Geogr. Rev. 47 160 In most mines the temperature of the return air remains almost constant throughout the year.
2003 Yukon News (Nexis) 10 Jan. 23 The main key to a good heating system is ample return air.
return carriage n. (a) a carriage going in the opposite direction to an outward journey (now rare); (b) the conveyance of passengers, goods, etc., back to a place or sender; the cost of this.
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1766 Gentleman's Mag. May 224 The author performed this part of his journey in a return carriage.
1832 J. Story Comm. Law Bailments vi. 350 As soon as the goods or money are put on board for the purpose of the return carriage, the liability of the carrier certainly re-attaches.
1864 Jrnl. Hort., Cottage Gardener, & Country Gentleman 19 Apr. 305/2 Paying another sixpence per hamper return carriage.
1904 Railway Mag. July 72/2 The return carriage leaves Aberystwyth for Sheffield, Nottingham, and Leicester at 12. 15 noon.
2007 Herald Express (Torquay) (Nexis) 27 Dec. 6 In this case the online trader must provide a full refund within 30 days although you may have to pay for the cost of return carriage.
return case n. now chiefly historical a case of infectious disease occurring after the return home of a patient from hospital.
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the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > production of disease > [noun] > infection > infectious disease
infection?a1425
smit1838
smittle1838
zymotic1842
return case1856
1856 N. Amer. Jrnl. Homeopathy Nov. 268 Clotar Müller either seems to have no return-cases, and no relapse cases, or else those of his patients who have relapsed after a long and tedious treatment have gone somewhere else.
1897 T. C. Allbutt et al. Syst. Med. II. 130 In spite of every precaution these so-called ‘return cases’ will occasionally appear.
1944 Jrnl. Hygiene 43 220/1 No return case has come to notice.
1993 A. Hardy Epidemic Streets iii. 63 The problem of the ‘return case’—the scarlet-fever patient who was still infectious but without evident symptoms on return from hospital—dogged the hospital service and the sanitary authorities throughout the period.
return catch n. Cricket a catch made by the bowler; (also) a ball so hit that the bowler may catch it; cf. to catch and bowl (a person) at catch v. Phrases 11a.
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1880 Times 14 July 11/3 Lucas and Whitfield..took the score to 41 before the former was dismissed by a very fine return catch.
1930 Manch. Guardian 6 Aug. 3/4 Iddon's dashing cricket was ended by a bad stroke which sent a return catch to Rhodes off a short ball.
2007 B. Cattell & J. Agard Shine on, Butter-finger 105 Natty bowled tightly and took a sharp return catch to dismiss the other opener.
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1838 M. Faraday in London & Edinb. Philos. Mag. 12 364 With a good hemispherical cup of sulphur cast solid and sound, I obtained the return charge.
1849 H. M. Noad Lect. Electr. (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.
1880 Proc. Physical Soc. 4 217 There are, besides the residual discharge due to electric absorption in the substance of the insulator, two other sources of a return charge.
return conductor n. a conductor by which an electric current returns to its source; cf. sense 15.
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1847 Proc. Amer. Philos. Soc. 1843–7 4 267 The earth has been made to act the part of the return conductor.
1847 London, Edinb., & Dublin Philos. Mag. 30 194 The earth has been made to act the part of the return conductor.
1920 Proc. IRE 8 348 The return conductor might be bare wire.
2001 C. R. Miller Illustr. Guide National Electr. Code (ed. 2) 55 The white (or gray) conductor cannot be used as a return conductor from the switch.
return crease n. Cricket each of two lines on either side of the wicket, at right angles to the bowling and popping creases, between which the bowler must deliver the ball.
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society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > cricket ground > [noun] > crease
crease1752
popping crease1752
scratch1772
return crease1774
1774 Laws of Cricket (Ridley) 7 The Bowling-Crease must be parallel with the Stumps, Three Feet in Length, with a Return-Crease.
1867 G. H. Selkirk Guide to Cricket Ground iv. 57 If the bowler should go beyond the return crease the umpire should at once call ‘no ball’.
1902 A. Shaw Reminisc. xvi. 168 Will Oscroft..bowled a wicket from outside the return crease, and as the umpire did not ‘call’ him he went down that path again..every wicket taken being illegal.
1976 J. Snow Cricket Rebel 99 Stackpole's bat was outside the return crease at the time the wicket was broken.
2009 Guardian (Nexis) 19 Mar. (Sport pages) 8 The delivery to the left-handed Chanderpaul—had it gone straight on—surely would have been a wide, so close to the line of the return crease did it pitch.
return current n. a current which returns or flows backwards; the electric current in a circuit which flows back to its source.
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1829 Farrier & Naturalist 15 Aug. 251 At other times a return current of blood, though with less force, was very perceptible.
1873 F. 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.
1957 G. E. Hutchinson Treat. Limnol. I. v. 268 A region near the bottom of current flowing against the wind, the so-called return current.
2001 B. Drury Control Techniques x. 216 Since the return currents in the common mode all flow in the earth wiring, earthing details are particularly important.
return date n. Law (chiefly U.S.) the date on which a specified person has been notified to appear in court or is due to perform another legal action.
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society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > [noun] > appearance before court > date when person has to appear
peremptor1489
return date1886
1886 Rep. Bombay Court Small Causes 1885 No. 1871 The average duration of suits given in last year's report was calculated from the return date of the summons, instead of from the date of issue.
1891 N.Y. State Reporter 34 54 The time of rendering judgment in this action is erroneously stated, as it appears to be before the return date of the summons.
1935 Columbia Law Rev. 35 1028 Under the new statute a receiver may be appointed (1) on the return date of an order, warrant or subpoena for the debtor's examination.
2009 Post-Standard (Syracuse, N.Y.) (Nexis) 24 Mar. b2 New York Giants star receiver and gun nut Plaxico Burress breezed in and out of Manhattan Criminal Court in 15 minutes yesterday, with little happening besides the setting of a June 15 return date.
return envelope n. U.S. an addressed envelope enclosed with a letter for the recipient's reply.
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society > communication > correspondence > letter > [noun] > cover or envelope > types of
postage envelope1840
mourning envelope1856
return envelope1856
stamped (and) addressed envelope1873
entire1897
window envelope1910
Mulready1912
flown cover1930
S.A.E.1939
Jiffy bag1956
1856 Newton's London Jrnl. Arts & Sci. 3 315 An improved envelope, and which said envelope he proposes designating as the despatch or return envelope.
1886 ‘M. Twain’ Lett. to Publishers (1967) 205 Enclose a stamped and printed return-envelop.
1923 Wilson Bull. 35 48 Detailed instructions and blanks for reporting the counts, together with return envelopes requiring no postage, will be furnished upon request.
2005 S. Mettler Soldiers to Citizens Pref. p. x I found a huge stack of return envelopes waiting for me, each one containing a completed survey.
return fire n. retaliatory gunfire; (also) an instance of this; also figurative; cf. to return fire at return v.1 Phrases 1.
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1826 J. F. Cooper Last of Mohicans (U.K. ed.) III. x. 242 The return fire was very nearly, if not quite equal, to that maintained by the advancing Delawares.
1839 Hesperian (Cincinnati) 3 418/1 When matter appears in the columns of an antagonist paper, so exceptionable as to require notice in a serious way,..we see either a silent insensibility, or a return fire of the same material.
1883 G. B. Malleson Decisive Battles India xii. 365 The Sikhs replied by directing a return fire from the few guns which effectually guarded the ford.
1998 G. Kennedy Kennedy on Negotiation 75 The other negotiator..is likely to concentrate his return fire on the weakest justification you use.
2008 N.Y. Times 24 June (Late ed.) 11 The attacker got out of the car with an AK-47 assault rifle in his hand, and he started to fire on the American soldiers until he was killed by return fire.
return key n. Computing a key on a keyboard which is typically used to execute a command, confirm the entry of keyed text, or (esp. in a word processor) simulate a carriage return; cf. enter key n. at enter v. Compounds.A typical keyboard has both an enter key and a separate return key, but in most systems the two function identically; some keyboards have only one of the two keys.
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society > computing and information technology > hardware > peripherals > [noun] > keyboard > individual keys
space bar1887
function key1930
delete key1963
esc1963
Alt mode1964
carriage return1965
return1965
return key1965
enter1966
Alt key1968
home key1968
arrow key1969
tab1969
control1976
delete1977
control key1978
cursor key1979
Alt1981
delete button1981
escape key1982
hot key1983
1965 E. A. Weiss Programming IBM 1620 i. 6 Return means hit the return key.
1985 Pract. Computing July 59/1 All the keys are sensibly placed, and my only real criticism is that the Return key is far too small.
2008 After Mac (Nexis) 15 June I thought to myself, let's try just hitting the return key and see if works. It did!
return mail n. the next mail or post in the opposite direction.
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1816 T. H. Cushing Let. 5 Jan. in J. Wilkinson Mem. my own Times (1816) xii. 463 Let me know it by return mail.
1864 Harper's Mag. Jan. 205/2 Miss Amber answered the letter by return mail.
1975 P. Fussell Great War & Mod. Mem. ii. 67 Geoffrey Keynes specialized in receiving antiquarian booksellers' catalogs and buying books by return mail.
2002 Internat. Family Planning Perspectives 28 132/2 Receipt of the manuscript is acknowledged by return mail.
return man n. American Football = returner n. 2b.
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society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > football > American football > [noun] > types of player
side tackle1809
nose guard1852
rusher1877
goalkicker1879
quarterback1879
runner1880
quarter1883
full back1884
left guard1884
snap-back1887
snapper-back1887
running back1891
tackle1891
defensive end1897
guard1897
interferer1897
receiver1897
defensive back1898
defensive tackle1900
safety man1901
ball carrier1902
defensive lineman1902
homebrew1903
offensive lineman1905
lineman1907
returner1911
signal caller1915
rover1916
interference1920
punt returner1926
pass rusher1928
tailback1930
safety1931
blocker1935
faker1938
scatback1946
linesman1947
flanker1953
platoon player1953
corner-back1955
pulling guard1955
split end1955
return man1957
slot-back1959
strong safety1959
wide receiver1960
line-backer1961
pocket passer1963
tight end1963
run blocker1967
wideout1967
blitzer1968
1957 Salisbury (Maryland) Times 28 Sept. 6/5 A good defensive halfback, a great return man on punts and kick offs, a capable linebacker, a tricky runner.
1994 S. E. Phillips It had to be You 328 The ball soared through the air. The Sabers' return man caught it deep in the Stars' end zone.
2004 Indianapolis Star 9 Jan. (State ed.) p8/2 Crosby plays on the kickoff team and is a gunner on the punt team, an outside man whose job is to get downfield and pinch the return man.
return match n. Sport a match between teams who have previously competed against each other, esp. recently; also figurative and attributive.
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society > leisure > sport > match or competition > [noun] > types of
all comersc1450
after-gamea1500
fore-game1594
revenge1616
plate1639
set-to1743
return match1753
bye1754
scrub-race1791
anybody's game (also race, match)1826
return1834
barney1843
bonspiel1858
handicap1861
pennant1865
home-and-home1868
benefit match1871
run-off1873
international1877
American tournament1878
Grand Prix1879
single1884
friendly1885
all-comers1889
pair1890
championship1893
round robin1894
replay1895
Olympiad1896
junior varsity1902
lightning tournament1903
rematch1903
road trip1903
pickup1905
freestyle1906
marathon1908
test1908
Derby1909
scrimmage1910
eliminator1911
twosome1911
triala1914
quadrangular1916
slug-fest1916
varsity match1921
needle contest1922
curtain jerker1923
needle match1923
open1926
needle fight1927
knock-out1928
shirt1930
masters1933
pro-amateur1934
tune-up1934
World Cup1934
pro-am1937
state1941
sizzler1942
runathon1943
mismatch1954
run-out1955
match-up1959
squeaker1961
triple-header1961
Super Bowl1967
invitational1968
needle game1970
major1976
slobberknocker1986
1753 Kentish Post 17–21 July There will be a Match of Running in the Field call'd Harvol, in Wye, next Friday... The Return Match to be in Cold Read at Great Chart the Thursday after.
1772 Kentish Gaz. 11 Aug. The return match [at cricket] is to be played at Wye.
1873 Routledge's Young Gentleman's Mag. Dec. 100/2 We can't have the return match before Wednesday.
1891 W. G. Grace Cricket iv. 108 The return match, at Lord's..was more encouraging to us.
1915 J. Buchan Thirty-nine Steps i. 18 This is the return match for the pogroms. The Jew is everywhere.
1929 Evening News 18 Nov. 16/6 In a return ice hockey match yesterday Berlin beat London by four goals to two.
1971 Nature 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.
1977 Times 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.
2001 Times 1 Nov. (Sports Daily) i. 1/2 Woodward watched him play scrum half and fly half against Perpignan last weekend and will watch intently his display in the return match at Welford Road on Saturday.
return pass n. (a) a permit giving authorization for the holder to re-enter an event, place, etc.; (b) Sport a pass played back to the teammate from whom a player received the ball; cf. one-two n. 3.
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1851 Morning Chron. 25 July 1/3 Entrance to the sale and fête, 2s. 6d.; return passes for those who wish to leave the sale and return to the fête, 1s.
1899 Times 9 Nov. 11/4 Almost immediately came a fine goal by R. E. Foster, who took the ball down the ground and passed to Vassall. Foster had a return pass and scored.
1952 Billboard 23 Aug. 48/3 Caledonia Park-In..is giving away with each paid admission a return pass good for any of the next six nights.
1958 Times 1 Dec. 3/3 Compton found a gap, ran splendidly, parted momentarily to Clarke, and with the return pass scored under the posts.
1995 N.Y. Mag. 9 Oct. 131/3 $5 admission includes a free return pass.
2000 L. Wilkens & T. Pluto Unguarded 210 He passed the ball to Nance, broke to the basket, took a return pass from Nance and made a layup.
return path n. a route or path used for returning; (Electronics) the route by which a current or signal returns to its source.
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1826 J. F. Cooper Last of Mohicans II. i. 2 They made good many toilsome miles, on their return path.
1870 Eng. Mech. 2 Dec. 261/2 The other theory considers that the force forms an actual return path by means of the substance of the earth.
1922 Physical Rev. 19 271 Connected to a metallic return path through wire, metallic foil, or similar connection.
1985 Times 24 Apr. 14/4 The veins which carry the blood on the return path from the brain.
2003 B. Iannini Electronic Gadgets for Evil Genius xxvii. 279/1 Capacitor C6 guarantees an AC return path for the output signal.
return post n. †(a) the return of the ‘post’ or courier who brought the dispatch or message from the sender (obsolete); (b) the next mail or post in the opposite direction.
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1686 H. Booth Tryal of Henry Baron Delamere 84 For besides this of his return Post upon the 2d of June, there is only an Answer given to one of the rest.
1885 List of Subscribers Exchange Syst. (United Telephone Co.) (ed. 6) 226 (advt.) Estimates per return post.
1929 M. de la Roche Whiteoaks ix. 137 Alayne wrote by return post.
1977 Private Eye 13 May 22/2 Send small sample of urine and £3 for reliable and strictly confidential results by first class return post.
2004 J. W. Hart in G. Hunsinger For Sake of World 39 Brunner replies by return post in a state of high agitation.
return room n. (a) a smaller room leading off a larger space; (b) a mezzanine room at the turn of a flight of stairs.
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society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > parts of building > room > types of room by situation > [noun] > others
garden room1619
tablinum1715
garden apartment1751
piazza1773
turret-room1803
shed-room1843
hall-room1859
return room1869
mid-place1871
stoep-room1880
sun space1907
1869 New Monthly Mag. July 46 Opening a door that led into a kind of small return-room off the sitting-room, containing a quantity of flower pots disposed on wicker stands.
1871 Irish Law Times 25 Mar. 156/1 It consists of two spacious parlours and breakfast-room and large hall, two large drawing-rooms and study, eight spacious bed-rooms and return room, with w.c.; a spacious kitchen.
1914 J. Joyce Dubliners 82 He glanced up and saw Jack regarding him from the door of the return-room.
1927 St. J. Ervine Wayward Man i. ii. 35 The return-room at the top of the first flight of stairs could be converted into a kitchen.
2000 C. de Fréine in Compar. Crit. 22 203 As it is, I hate passing the return room—it reminds me of one where I slept as a child.
return shock n. [compare French choc de retour (1842)] now rare an electric current indirectly produced in a conducting object by a nearby electrical discharge (esp. a lightning strike), often manifesting as an injurious or fatal electric shock within people or animals.An electrical conductor near a strong electric charge has a charge of the opposite polarity induced within itself; in an electrical discharge this strong inducing charge is neutralized, causing the induced charge to suddenly flow in order to restore the neutrality of the body.
ΚΠ
1841 Polytechnic Jrnl. Oct. 241 The phenomenon of the return shock was referred to, by which, objects on the earth's surface might be severely injured.
1881 S. P. Thompson Elem. Lessons 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.
1911 E. C. Hill Text-bk. Chem. (ed. 2) 51 Persons at some distance from the spot where a ‘lightning-stroke’ occurs often suffer from what is styled the return shock.
return smoke n. now rare (a) smoke from outside which comes down a flue and into a room; (b) smoke from a stove, fireplace, etc., which is forced into a room rather than sent up the flue.
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1842 Mechanics' Mag. 10 Dec. 530/1 The flue is perfectly closed, to prevent the return smoke from other chimneys.
1861 C. E. L. 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.
1866 Med. Times & Gaz. 17 Mar. 286/1 Visible smoke..causes our back windows to be shut and our back chimneys to be stopped up, for fear of return smoke and blacks.
1909 Trans. Surveyors' Inst. 41 427 He was able to get the wood to burn without any return smoke.
return stall n. Church Architecture (chiefly in plural) a stall (stall n.1 5a) situated at the entrance to the chancel with its back to the nave, at right angles to the other stalls.
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1847 Theologian & Eccl. July–Dec. 96 We would give up return stalls, at least the use of them by any officiating clerks.
1902 Musical Times 43 158/2 The Dean's stall at Ely..is on the north side of the Choir; the first return stall on the south side is assigned to the Bishop.
2005 Church Times 23 Dec. 28/1 Return stalls were a standard feature of chancel screens in the 15th century, regardless of the size of the church.
return-thanks card n. a card sent or given to convey thanks for a thing received or done, a thank-you card.
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1876 A. B. Thom Upper Ten Thousand (Commerc. prospectuses) 34 (advt.) Visiting cards. Menu cards. Return thanks cards. Ball programmes, &c.
1907 Yesterday's Shopping (1969) 361/1 ‘Return thanks’ card... Return thanks for kind enquiries and sympathy.
1972 VAT: Scope & Coverage (H.M. Customs & Excise) 33 Postcards..acceptance cards; ‘thank-you’ or ‘return-thanks’ cards.
return wave n. a wave which returns or goes backward; spec. †a fast, high sea wave occurring as a result of an earthquake close to the coast, caused by the lifting and subsequent subsidence of the coastal land (cf. tsunami n.) (obsolete).
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1833 W. W. Mather Elements Geol. xiii. 92 When Lisbon was destroyed, the return wave was fifty feet in height.
1869 Lancet Oct. 565/1 The echo or return wave was only heard when the greatest possible attention was paid.
1870 M. Ponton Earthquakes & Volcanoes (rev. ed.) ix. 134 Its [sc. the beach's] immediate subsidence..causes the return wave.
1916 M. Grant Passing of Great Race (1917) i. vi. 72 Teutonized by a return wave of military conquest from the tenth century onward.
1992 P. T. Deutermann Scorpion in Sea (1994) xxxvii. 302 Push a sound wave out into the water... The return wave..dissipated with every meter it travelled back from the contact towards the ship.
return wort n. Brewing now rare a weak wort blended with the following mash.
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the world > food and drink > drink > manufacture of alcoholic drink > brewing > [noun] > wort > from former brewing
brackwoort1577
Blue John1639
after-wort1653
return wort1830
returns1835
1830 D. Booth Descr. & Use Brewer's Sacchatometer i. §5. 13 From this [malt] there was extracted, on the Scotch system—7.6 barrels of ale wort of 30 lbs. gravity..5 do. of return wort of 2.5 lbs. gravity.
1845 Tizard 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.
1902 R. Wahl & M. Henius Amer. Handy-bk. Brewing (ed. 2) 1202/1 Hansel, return wort: last run kept from one brew to another.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2010; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
returnv.1
/rᵻˈtəːn/, U.S. /rəˈtərn/, /riˈtərn/ I. Senses relating to autonomous action (chiefly intransitive).† 3. intransitive. To have respect or relation to. Obsolete. rare.† 9. † 10. intransitive. To result or happen to (also unto) a person. Obsolete. rare.
1.
a. intransitive. To come or go back to a place or person.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > aspects of travel > return > [verb (intransitive)]
to wend againeOE
i-cherrec1000
again-chareOE
again-comeOE
again-fareOE
again-goOE
eft-sithec1175
to turn againc1175
returna1325
attournec1386
turnc1390
recovera1393
repair?c1400
recourse?a1425
to go backc1425
resortc1425
revertc1475
renew1488
retour?1505
to make return1534
to turn back1538
retend1543
to come short home1548
regress1552
rejourna1556
revolt1567
revolve1587
repeal1596
recur1612
rewend1616
revene1656
to get back1664
to take back1674
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > backward movement > move backwards [verb (intransitive)] > return towards point of departure
repaira1325
returna1325
rebounda1382
redounda1382
recovera1393
to go backc1425
revertc1475
renew1488
reverse1542
retire1567
revolve1587
reciprocate1623
retrovert1639
to get back1664
recur1719
hoicks1762
boomerang1900
a1325 Statutes of Realm in MS Rawl. B.520 f. 55v Ȝif his broþer arre ibore retornez quik oliue.
a1425 (?a1400) G. Chaucer Romaunt Rose (Hunterian) (1891) l. 384 Watir..doun renneth ay But neuer drope Retourne may.
c1475 Mankind (1969) 669 (MED) Mankynde xall retorn; he ys on of owr men.
c1500 (?a1475) Assembly of Gods (1896) 111 I might nat thedyr crepe Before my seson came to retorne ayeyne.
1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. viv Nowe hauing litle monye left..he is dryuen to retourne.
1604 E. Grimeston tr. J. de Acosta Nat. & Morall Hist. Indies ii. iv. 87 The heat and drought comes whenas the Sunne returnes.
1685 J. Dryden Threnodia Augustalis iv. 8 Thus, at half Ebb, a rowling Sea Returns and wins upon the shoar.
1781 J. Logan in Scott. Paraphr. viii. 9 But man forsakes this earthly Scene, Ah! never to return.
1805 W. Cruise Digest Laws Eng. Real Prop. V. 197 A person who was out of the realm, and never returned.
1855 C. Kingsley Westward Ho! xiv He had gone out to say his prayers, and had not returned.
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. xxii. 153 He returned, and I went on alone.
1891 C. Roberts Adrift in Amer. 190 The few Indians..returned..with all of the tribe that they could muster up.
1927 Pop. Sci. Monthly Apr. 37/2 Next he ran to a willow bush that grew a little way off, broke several branches, returned, and almost in a moment had a branch bent double and thrust within the skin, distending it.
1947 Life 17 Nov. 134/2 If Jesus Christ were to return today, he would be on the blacklist too.
1989 Gamut Summer 8/1 In Death in Rome, there is an old unreformed Nazi who has wintered well by training troops in the Middle East and is preparing to return.
2007 D. Mandel Who's Who in Jewish Bible 98 After he left, the officials of the court returned.
b. intransitive. With adverb or adverbial phrase of direction.
ΚΠ
a1400 Prose Life Christ (Pepys) (1922) 6 (MED) Hij by oþer weye retourned in to her cuntre.
?c1400 (c1380) G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (BL Add. 10340) (1868) iv. pr. i. l. 3132 Þou..by my sledes shalt mowen retourne hool and sounde in to þi contre.
a1425 (?a1400) G. Chaucer Romaunt Rose (Hunterian) (1891) l. 4918 Al his lyf he doth so morne By cause he dar not hom retourne.
?a1425 (c1400) Mandeville's Trav. (Titus C.xvi) (1919) 79 The colueres retournen aȝen whereas þei ben norisscht.
c1430 (c1385) G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde (Cambr. Gg.4.27) (1882) iv. l. 1553 And ȝow symoys..returne bakward in to thyn welle.
1484 W. Caxton tr. Subtyl Historyes & Fables Esope viii. f. cxxviijv As he was retornynge fro the feyre.
a1500 (?c1450) Merlin 597 (MED) Often thei returned vpon hem that hem pursued.
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection i. sig. Eiiiiv But caused them to retourne backwarde in to the wyldernesse.
1584 A. Barlow First Voy. in R. Hakluyt Principal Navigations (1588) We resolued to leaue the Countrey, and apply our selues to returne for England.
1586 R. Lane Acct. in R. Hakluyt Principal Navigations (1589) 739 From whence..could I at all times returne with my companie backe vnto my boats.
1611 Bible (King James) Jer. xviii. 11 Returne ye now euery one from his euill way. View more context for this quotation
1660 R. Boyle New Exper. Physico-mechanicall iv. 46 We..allow'd the external Air to return into the Receiver.
1712 A. Pope Rape of Locke i, in Misc. Poems 360 Merchants from th' Exchange return in Peace.
1768 L. Sterne Sentimental Journey I. 165 I returned back, to ask her whether the first turn was to my right or left.
1776 Trial Maha Rajah Nundocomar for Forgery 30/1 He went from Calcutta to Jaggernaut, from whence he returned to Calcutta.
1847 F. Marryat Children of New Forest I. vi. 98 Jacob..returned home well satisfied with the profit he had made.
1871 B. Jowett in tr. Plato Dialogues IV. 3 Aristotle..returned to Athens after the death of Plato.
1898 W. S. Churchill in Morning Post 7 Oct. 5/7 The Dervish gunboat Bordaine..returned from its quest with nearly a hundred men wounded.
1910 E. M. Forster Howards End xliv Margaret saw their visitors to the gate. Then she returned to her husband.
1946 H. L. Mencken Diary 29 Apr. (1989) 413 When lunch was over I returned home and stretched out for a rest.
1958 Nursing (St. John Ambulance Assoc.) v. 58 A small kink in the capillary tube..prevents the mercury returning into the bulb unless the thermometer is shaken.
1984 D. R. Gabaccia From Sicily to Elizabeth Street 90 At noon the older children returned from school, and were sent to purchase salt and sardines.
1991 South Aug. 32/3 South African companies are preparing to return to the Euromarket to raise debt financing and trade finance facilities.
2001 H. Lindsay Tracking Apollo to Moon iii. 130 With the help of his nitrogen gun Collins returned back to the Gemini.
2004 S. N. Vasil Reasonable Suspect 207 She had been so careful to monitor and manage the daily routine of her daughters, having them telephone..before they returned for home.
c. intransitive. In past participle with to be (originally the perfect tense: cf. be v. 16b). Now somewhat archaic.
ΚΠ
c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Melibeus (Hengwrt) (2003) §7 Whan Melibeus retourned was in to his hous & seigh al this meschief he..gan to wepe.
c1425 J. Lydgate Troyyes Bk. (Augustus A.iv) v. 394 (MED) He is retourned home to Troye toun.
1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. cliij He a lytle before at the beginning of Maye, was retorned home with his wyfe.
1581 W. Lambarde Eirenarcha i. iv. 20 After suche time as Queene Isabell..was retourned ouer ye Seas into England.
1601 J. Weever Mirror of Martyrs sig. Evv Through many paines and perils past, I'm safe returned back to Wales at last.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost ix. 401 Shee to him as oft engag'd To be returnd by Noon amid the Bowre. View more context for this quotation
1795 T. Jefferson Writings (1859) IV. 118 After the middle of May, by which time I hope to be returned from Bedford.
1823 J. Lingard Hist. Eng. VI. 227 The business languished till the earl of Wiltshire was returned from Bologna.
1864 J. H. Burton Scot Abroad I. iv. 207 John Knox, who was just returned from tasting the tender mercies of France as a galley-slave.
1904 Eng. Illustr. Mag. June 280/2 He is returned to Antwerp but to-day. He is become a painter.
1957 M. Moorman W. Wordsworth I. xvii. 568 They saw much of the Lambs, who lived close by and were just returned from a visit to Coleridge at Keswick.
1980 H. Wood Third-class Ticket x. 319 Hail, giver of the lotus. I am returned to question you.
2004 B. Fraina King of Cats 48 Is she returned from lunch yet?
d. transitive (reflexive). = sense 1b. Now archaic.
ΚΠ
1477 W. Caxton tr. R. Le Fèvre Hist. Jason (1913) 155 Whan the Quene Ysiphyle had saide these wordes she retorned her vnto the cite.
1485 Malory's Morte Darthur (Caxton) i. ix. sig. a.viv The kynge retornyd hym to the toure ageyne and armed hym and alle his knyȝtes.
1568 A. Scott Poems (1896) xxv. 1 Returne thé, hairt, hamewart agane.
1587 J. White in R. Hakluyt Princ. Navigations (1589) 768 The next day..the whole companie..came to the Gouernour, and with one voice requested him to returne himselfe into England, for the better and sooner obtaining of supplies.
1588 A. Munday tr. Palmerin D'Oliua liii. sig. S 8v Returne you to the Cittie, and there expect my comming.
1612 T. Shelton tr. M. de Cervantes Don-Quixote: Pt. 1 iv. 143 That which wee might doe best..were to return us again to our village.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 1 (1623) iii. iii. 109 Returne thee therefore with a floud of Teares, And wash away thy Countries stayned Spots. View more context for this quotation
1787 A. Fuller Alan Fitz-Osborne (ed. 2) II. iv. 74 ‘Return thee,’ said she, ‘and keep a watch while I discourse with this pilgrim.’
1829 M. A. Gray Repentance 49 Thing of the dust! return thee home!
1865 E. Caswall May Pageant 55 O England, quit the path that thou hast Trod, Return, return thee to thy Lord and God.
1886 R. F. Burton tr. Arabian Nights' Entertainments (1894) IX. 395 So return thee home where they keen for thee.
1932 P. A. Sample Visions in Verse 5 And, having made the full, unfettered test, Return thee, safe, to Wisdom's ‘Bode of Rest’.
2. intransitive. To go back or revert to (also unto) a previous owner; (Law) to pass to on the death of the present possessor or at the end of a lease or similar contract.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > legal right > right of possession or ownership > right to succeed to title, position, or estate > reversion > revert to [verb (transitive)]
returna1325
retour1415
result1768
retract1785
a1325 Statutes of Realm in MS Rawl. B.520 f. 62 Ilke lond..wuche soolde retournen to þilke .B.
1422 in R. W. Chambers & M. Daunt Bk. London Eng. (1931) 305 (MED) My fathers laste wyll was þat hys londes schuld returne Vn-to þe eyre Male & neuer to þe female.
a1475 J. Fortescue Governance of Eng. (Laud) (1885) 136 (MED) Yff suche gyftis..were refourmed, and thai rewarded with..livelode terme off lyff, wich aftir thair dethis wolde than retorne to the Crowne, þe kyng shulde haue suche livelod as we now seke ffor.
1524 in J. W. Clay Testamenta Eboracensia (1902) VI. 10 I bequeathe..a litile howse with a yerde the terme of his lyfe, and then to return to the right heires.
1554 in J. Bain & C. Rogers Glasgow Rental Bk. (1875) 155 And faillȝeand the forsaidcontrak hald nocht fordwart the land abone specifeyt to retwrne [to] the said Patrik.
a1628 J. Doddridge Eng. Lawyer (1631) 70 Never like to returne to the Lord by Escheat or Donor by Reverter.
1687 A. Lovell tr. J. de Thévenot Trav. into Levant i. 115 The Saracens took it from the Greeks,..then it returned to the Christians.
1767 J. Hoole tr. P. Metastasio Demophoon iii. xvi, in tr. P. Metastasio Wks. II. 348 And to the rightful heir the crown returns.
1838 W. Bell Dict. Law Scotl. 695 On his failure to pay within the time limited, the sale resolves, and the property..returns to the seller.
1893 H. G. Mitchell tr. C. Piepenbring Theol. Old Test. §31. 298 None of them [sc. the Israelites]..can sell only the usufruct, and that only until the year of jubilee, when all property returns to its lawful owner.
1933 A. Monkhouse Moscow xvii. 233 Zastroishiki, as such home builders are called, are allowed to acquire land on a forty-five-year lease, after which the property returns to the State.
1977 J. B. Given Society & Homicide 13th-cent. Eng. 221 Noninheriting children were given a small plot of land to hold until they married, left the village, or died, at which time the land returned to the heir.
2006 S. W. Schneider Everything Guide to being Paralegal xiii. 179 If the owner of property transfers ownership ‘to Joe for life’, the ownership of the property will return to the original owner when Joe dies.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > relate or connect [verb (intransitive)] > refer or relate
returna1393
referc1405
regard1525
tend1571
relate1609
reflect1617
advert1765
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) vii. 1428 (MED) The laste sterre..to Mercurie and to Satorne Be weie of kinde mot retorne After the preparacion Of due constellacion.
4. Of immaterial things: to happen or be experienced again, recur; to be repeated or take a previous form.
a. intransitive. With adverb or adverbial phrase of direction, esp. with to (a person or place), (now rare) upon (a person).
ΚΠ
c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Parson's Tale (Ellesmere) (1877) §620 Swich cursynge wrongfully retorneth agayn to hym þat curseth.
c1550 Complaynt Scotl. (1979) xi. 67 Vald ȝe al perpend ȝour..querrel than hardines and curage vald returne vitht in ȝour hartis.
1591 E. Spenser Prosopopoia in Complaints 306 Ere the yeare..doo returne from whence he first begun.
1638 F. Junius Painting of Ancients 246 That is great indeed..which doth still returne into our thoughts.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost xi. 534 Till many years over thy head return: So maist thou live. View more context for this quotation
1719 D. Waterland Vindic. Christ's Divinity 21 Let it stand, to support the Second Query; which returns upon you, and expects a fuller Answer.
1821 Edinb. Rev. Oct. 237 Their argument must return to the point from which it set out.
1864 Ld. Tennyson Enoch Arden in Enoch Arden, etc. 34 When the beauteous hateful isle Return'd upon him.
1908 M. W. Pickthall Children of Nile iii. 24 His former abject fear returned upon him.
1943 J. T. Farrell My Days of Anger xiv. 142 The pain of scenes like this one to-night returned to him from the past.
1952 Economist 13 Sept. 658/2 If prosperity is to return to Throgmorton Street the Stock Exchange Council will have to attract more investors.
1984 A. Swinfen In Def. of Fantasy vi. 142 The terror and awe of man reaches a similar peak, until the season turns, light gains the ascendance, and hope returns to the world.
2009 P. Cox Surreal-ism 277 And as Chirrah and her kits all lie together,..darkness returns to the forest.
b. intransitive. Without adverb or adverbial phrase of direction.
ΚΠ
a1425 (?a1400) G. Chaucer Romaunt Rose (Hunterian) (1891) l. 382 The tyme that may not soiourne But goth and may neuer Retourne.
a1525 Contempl. Synnaris l. 124, in W. A. Craigie Asloan MS (1925) II. 191 Treuth [mycht] retorne with tryvmphe.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 109 With the Spring their genial Warmth returns . View more context for this quotation
1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones I. iv. xii. 212 Thus it happened to poor Sophia; upon whom, the very next Time she saw young Jones, all the former Symptoms returned, and from that Time cold and hot Fits alternately seized her Heart.
1797 M. Robinson Walsingham I. x. 159 The winter brings cold, and we must freeze. The summer returns with heat, and we must melt.
1826 J. Miers Trav. in Chile & La Plata I. iii. 180 The rainy weather returned, and the snow fell abundantly upon the surrounding hills.
1859 Ld. Tennyson Enid in Idylls of King 63 Nor will you win him back, For the man's love once gone never returns.
1880 J. H. Shorthouse John Inglesant xxxvii The scenes and forms of death with which he had been familiar in Naples, returned again and again before his eyes.
1903 A. Austin Flodden Field ii. 82 When maiden buds fling back their hoods, And pairing-time returns.
1959 J. A. B. van Buitenen tr. Tales Anc. India 234 Having met a mortal in a region where mortals were scarce, her confidence returned.
1987 G. H. Hodos Show Trials vi. 56 As night returned, I forgot that I had had nothing to eat or drink and was overcome, instead, by a need to sleep.
2006 L. Isherwood in R. R. Ruether & M. Grau Interpreting Postmodern x. 163 Some security returned, but the people projected many demons and left the root causes of the violence untouched.
c. intransitive. With upon: to have a later adverse effect on (a person), to rebound. Now somewhat archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > reciprocal treatment or return of an action > treat one as he has been treated [verb (transitive)] > return something upon a person
return1484
retortc1559
recoil1578
1484 W. Caxton tr. Subtyl Historyes & Fables Esope iii. vi. f. lvij Synne retorneth euer vpon his mayster.
1611 Bible (King James) 1 Kings ii. 33 Their blood shall therefore returne vpon the head of Ioab. View more context for this quotation
1848 Bibliotheca Sacra & Theol. Rev. Aug. 510 The assault upon the majesty of God which sin has attempted..has returned upon the sinner in his punishment.
1866 R. W. Dale Disc. Special Occasions iii. 68 Your sins after injuring others, often return upon yourselves.
1901 C. E. Watson Hist. Clee & Thorpes of Clee iii. i. 42 However, the violence of the violent at last returned upon him. He fell into the hands of the irate burgesses of Grimsby, and after a scant trial was hurried off to the gallows and hanged before there was time for rescue or escape.
1925 F. A. Wister 25 Yrs. Philadelphia Orchestra iv. 122 Mr. Edward W. Bok then suggested that the Association should conduct a campaign to raise $1,000,000... A Campaign Committee was appointed by Mr. Van Rensselaer, of which Mr. Bok was made chairman, in such fashion do one's sins return to one.
1999 Ø. Dahl Meanings in Madagascar iv. 63 A cyclone demolished the house. ‘What they have done returned upon them’..was the pithy comment of the land-owner.
5. † c. intransitive. To change or turn into (also in) something else. Obsolete (Scottish in later use).† d. transitive (reflexive). = senses 5a, 5b. Obsolete. rare.† e. intransitive. With adjective as complement: to become again. Obsolete. rare.
a. intransitive. To revert, go back again, to (also into) a previous condition or state.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > change > change to something else, transformation > change of direction, reversion > revert [verb (intransitive)] > to former state or condition
to turn againc1325
returnc1405
resorta1438
revert?a1513
to pass and repass1548
refall1570
relapse1593
unhappen1805
react1841
involute1904
relax1934
reset1946
c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Melibeus (Hengwrt) (2003) §215 The book seith that no wight retourneth saufly in to the grace of his olde enemy.
a1450 in B. J. Whiting & H. W. Whiting Prov., Sentences, & Proverbial Phrases (1968) 295 (MED) He was lyke an hounde in soo moche as hee after..wolde returne agayne to hys foule synne.
1484 W. Caxton tr. Subtyl Historyes & Fables Esope ii. x. f. xlvij A lytyll whyle after this, this man retourned and felle ageyne in to grete pouerte.
1526 Bible (Tyndale) Acts xiii. 34 He reysed him vp from deeth, now no more to returne to corrupcion.
1556 W. Lauder Compend. Tractate Dewtie of Kyngis (1864) 74 Of claye, Quhare-to thay mon returne sum daye.
1611 Bible (King James) Gen. iii. 19 Dust thou art, and vnto dust shalt thou returne . View more context for this quotation
1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan 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.
1703 Clarendon's Hist. Rebellion II. ix. 492 But, after some days frolickly spent at Bath, he return'd to his former temper.
1753 Chambers's Cycl. Suppl. at Annihilation A thing, which subsisting no longer of itself, would every moment return into nothing.
1796 E. Burke Two Lett. Peace Regicide Directory France (ed. 2) i. 51 To engage Prussia..to return into the coalition.
1834 G. Browning Domest. Financial Condition Great Brit. ii. i. 275 Egypt..after..rising to the highest point of mundane prosperity,..returned to the lowest state of primeval barbarity.
1852 M. Arnold Empedocles on Etna, & Other Poems 63 To the elements it came from Everything will return.
1892 Speaker 3 Sept. 290/1 The roses..will deteriorate year after year, returning gradually to wildness.
1916 C. S. Churchill Let. 16 Feb. in W. S. Churchill & C. S. Churchill Speaking for Themselves (1999) vii. 177 I am sure you will return to power after the war with increased prestige.
1954 G. R. Cameron in H. W. Florey Lect. Gen. Pathol. xxxii. 596 With such treatment..arterial pressures return to normal or near normal within an hour or two.
1980 T. G. O'Rourke Impact of Reapportionment vii. 157 Democrats..returned to control of the legislatures in the mid-1970s.
2004 T. Steckler in T. Steckler et al. Handbk. Stress & Brain i. 23/2 Fight–flight–freezing reactions, which serve the subject to deal effectively with a source of danger and to return into a state of safety.
b. intransitive. To revert to a practice, activity, habit, belief, or opinion.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > change > change to something else, transformation > change of direction, reversion > revert [verb (intransitive)] > to custom, practice, etc.
returnc1405
revert1564
c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Melibeus (Ellesmere) (1872) §3044 Thanne were it likly to retourne to the werre as it was biforn.
a1525 in W. A. Craigie Asloan MS (1923) I. 303/6 Men falling blak in synnis..nocht retornyng to confessioun with contricioun.
1534 T. More Treat. Passion in Wks. 1309/2 They..retourned of frowardnes to their errours agayne.
1552 Abp. J. Hamilton Catech. i. vii. f. 20 He..will nocht leiue his herisie and returne to the catholike faith.
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Recoquiner, to fall a begging, to returne to beggerie.
1737 Gentleman's Mag. May 288/2 Finding that she absolutely must resolve to die, or return to wearing Petticoats.
1745 E. Haywood Female Spectator (1748) No. 19. IV. 26 Heaven forbid that..I should..advise them to return to that old fashioned way of spending time.
1813 C. Lamb in Philanthropist Jan. 52 What hinders in your instance that you do not return to those habits from which you would induce others never to swerve?
1881 B. Jowett tr. Thucydides Hist. Peloponnesian War I. 72 The Byzantians too agreed to return to their allegiance.
1949 Rev. Eng. Stud. 25 2 A devout Protestant who was forced by threats of punishment and loss of property to abjure his beliefs and return to Catholicism.
1976 Jet 2 Sept. 24/1 Port Moresby, New Guinea tribesmen, feeling it was their patriotic duty, offered to return to the practice of cannibalism in order to increase the tourism for their territorial festival.
2001 A. Pryor Outlaws & Gunslingers viii. 77 There was a report that he may have returned to holding up stagecoaches.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > change > change to something else, transformation > be transformed [verb (intransitive)]
wortheOE
awendOE
golOE
turnc1275
changec1300
runc1384
to run into ——c1384
fare1398
writhea1400
transmewc1400
returnc1475
transume1480
convert1549
transform1597
remove1655
transeate1657
transmute1675
make1895
metamorphose1904
shapeshift1927
metamorphize1943
metamorphosize1967
morph1992
c1475 in Archiv f. das Studium der Neueren Sprachen (1913) 131 42 (MED) Whi dide Loth his wif, thurgh disobeisaunce, Retourne sodainly in-to a salt stone?
a1500 tr. A. Chartier Traité de l'Esperance (Rawl.) (1974) 105 (MED) He may hoope that the happe of his enymye may retourne into myschefe.
a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 159 All erdly ioy returnis in pane.
a1522 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid (1957) iv. viii. l. 100 Scho gan behald In blak adyll the hallowyt watir cald Changyt and altyr, and furthȝet wynys gude Onon returnyt into laithly blude.
?1553 (c1501) G. Douglas Palice of Honour (London) 612 in Shorter Poems (1967) 44 Sen gone is thy glaidnes, And all thy solace, returnyt in dispyte.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > aspects of travel > return > [verb (reflexive)]
return1483
the world > time > change > change to something else, transformation > transform [verb (transitive)] > again
return1483
retransform1594
retransfigure1632
1483 ( tr. G. Deguileville Pilgrimage of Soul (Caxton) (1859) v. i. 68 I retourne me ageyne to my fyrst purpoos.
1794 tr. A. Barruel Hist. Clergy during French Revol. 78 Happy in the grant of this moment, wherein I return myself to my duty.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > change > change to something else, transformation > change of direction, reversion > revert [verb (intransitive)] > become again
return1523
rebecome1592
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. cclxxvi. f. clxxv/1 Into his owne countre, the which newly was retourned Frenche [Fr. qui sestoit retourne francoys].
1618 W. Becher in W. Camden Epist. (1691) 210 The Count of Candale is suddenly returned Papist again.
1692 O. Walker Greek & Rom. Hist. 330 She turned Arrian... Afterwards she seemed to return Catholick.
f. intransitive. to return to oneself (also one's senses, †one's sense): (a) to regain consciousness, to revive; (b) to resume one's usual or true frame of mind or character. Cf. to come to oneself at to come to —— 2 at come v. Phrasal verbs 2.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > calmness > become composed or calm [verb (intransitive)] > recover composure
to pull, shake oneself togethera1400
to return to oneself?1566
recollect1587
breathea1616
collect1631
recover1648
to take a pull (at or on oneself)1890
1521 R. Copland tr. St. Edmund Rich Myrrour of Chyrche xxx. sig. f.1 The fyrst degre of contemplacyon of ye soule is, that the soule be retorned to herselfe and gadred togyder & brynge her selfe in herselfe.]
?1566 J. Alday tr. P. Boaistuau Theatrum Mundi sig. S.vi So often as he would be in contemplation or praier, he would fall down as dead..and after he was returned to himselfe, he woulde tell such straunge things that the assistantes would maruell to heare him.
1579 Poore Knight his Pallace sig. Biiv Orestes then returnde vnto his sence againe.
1629 F. Quarles Argalus & Parthenia iii. 158 There she fainted..But soone returning to her selfe againe; Welcome sweet death, said she.
1679 M. D'Assigny tr. Sieur de Sainctyon Hist. Tamerlan the Great viii. 297 As soon as the Bassa, had recollected his Spirits and was returned to himself, he resolved to incamp and intrench his Army.
1718 G. Sewell tr. J. H. Meibom Treat. Flogging in Venereal Affairs 3 If the Madness is not so cured, let him be..dieted with Bread and Water 'till he returns to his Senses.
1737 R. Dodsley Sir John Cockle at Court iv, in King & Miller of Mansfield 53 Come, come, Kitty; for shame! lay aside these foolish airs of the fine lady; return to yourself, and let me ask you one serious question.
a1773 A. Butler Lives Saints (1779) I. 353 Chrysostom said, that as to himself, upon the first news of his danger he had swooned away, and only returned to himself to vent his grief by abundance of tears.
1824 North Devon Mag. Nov. 142 This can only be a passing illusion of Eleanor's, she will soon return to herself.
1860 W. Collins Woman in White 121 While he was maundering on in this way I was..returning to my senses.
1887 ‘E. Lyall’ Knight-errant III. iv. 114 He had hardly returned to himself and ceased to be the Toreador, when both visitors beset him.
1944 P. W. Harsh Handbk. Classical Drama iv. xvi. 232 Here the deranged Orestes, slowly returning to his senses, says that he discerns a calm returning over his troubled sea.
1969 Negro Digest July 13/1 Thanks to my continued striving (jihad) and growth, I have returned to myself.
1988 R. Basu Hours before Dawn xvi. 128 I would rather you did not speak to me at all until you return to your senses.
2007 A. Fluckey tr. M. Payno Bandits from Río Frío 559 He put smelling salts under her nose and it was almost an hour before the lady finally returned to herself.
6. † b. transitive. To cause (one's heart, thoughts, etc.) to turn away in rejection. Also with from. Obsolete.
a. intransitive. To turn away in rejection; to go away again. Usually with from. Now only in biblical or devotional contexts.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > go away [verb (intransitive)]
wendeOE
i-wite971
ashakec975
shakeOE
to go awayOE
witea1000
afareOE
agoOE
atwendOE
awayOE
to wend awayOE
awendOE
gangOE
rimeOE
flitc1175
to fare forthc1200
depart?c1225
part?c1225
partc1230
to-partc1275
biwitec1300
atwitea1325
withdrawa1325
to draw awayc1330
passc1330
to turn one's (also the) backc1330
lenda1350
begonec1370
remuea1375
voidc1374
removec1380
to long awaya1382
twinc1386
to pass one's wayc1390
trussc1390
waive1390
to pass out ofa1398
avoida1400
to pass awaya1400
to turn awaya1400
slakec1400
wagc1400
returnc1405
to be gonea1425
muck1429
packc1450
recede1450
roomc1450
to show (a person) the feetc1450
to come offc1475
to take one's licence1475
issue1484
devoidc1485
rebatea1500
walka1500
to go adieua1522
pikea1529
to go one's ways1530
retire?1543
avaunt1549
to make out1558
trudge1562
vade?1570
fly1581
leave1593
wag1594
to get off1595
to go off1600
to put off1600
shog1600
troop1600
to forsake patch1602
exit1607
hence1614
to give offa1616
to take off1657
to move off1692
to cut (also slip) the painter1699
sheera1704
to go about one's business1749
mizzle1772
to move out1792
transit1797–1803
stump it1803
to run away1809
quit1811
to clear off1816
to clear out1816
nash1819
fuff1822
to make (take) tracks (for)1824
mosey1829
slope1830
to tail out1830
to walk one's chalks1835
to take away1838
shove1844
trot1847
fade1848
evacuate1849
shag1851
to get up and get1854
to pull out1855
to cut (the) cable(s)1859
to light out1859
to pick up1872
to sling one's Daniel or hook1873
to sling (also take) one's hook1874
smoke1893
screw1896
shoot1897
voetsak1897
to tootle off1902
to ship out1908
to take a (run-out, walk-out, etc.) powder1909
to push off1918
to bugger off1922
biff1923
to fuck off1929
to hit, split or take the breeze1931
to jack off1931
to piss offa1935
to do a mick1937
to take a walk1937
to head off1941
to take a hike1944
moulder1945
to chuff off1947
to get lost1947
to shoot through1947
skidoo1949
to sod off1950
peel1951
bug1952
split1954
poop1961
mugger1962
frig1965
society > travel > aspects of travel > departure, leaving, or going away > depart, leave, or go away [verb (intransitive)]
to come awayeOE
wendeOE
i-wite971
ashakec975
shakeOE
to go awayOE
witea1000
afareOE
agoOE
awayOE
dealc1000
goOE
awendOE
rimeOE
to go one's wayOE
flitc1175
depart?c1225
partc1230
to-partc1275
atwitea1325
withdrawa1325
to turn one's (also the) backc1330
lenda1350
begonec1370
remuea1375
removec1380
to long awaya1382
twinc1386
to pass one's wayc1390
trussc1390
to turn awaya1400
returnc1405
to be gonea1425
recede1450
roomc1450
to come offc1475
to take one's licence1475
issue1484
walka1500
to go adieua1522
pikea1529
avaunt1549
trudge1562
vade?1570
discoast1571
leave1593
wag1594
to go off1600
troop1600
hence1614
to set on one's foota1616
to pull up one's stumps1647
quit1811
to clear out1816
slope1830
to walk one's chalks1835
shove1844
to roll out1850
to pull out1855
to light out1859
to take a run-out powder1909
to push off (also along)1923
c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Parson's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) §162 If the rightful man returne agayn from his rightwisnesse & werke wikkednesse, shal he lyue.
?a1475 (?a1425) tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Harl. 2261) (1871) III. 25 (MED) Edom returnede [a1387 J. Trevisa tr. wente away; L. recessit] in that he wolde not be vnder Iuda, and made a kynge to theyme.
1561 T. Norton tr. J. Calvin Inst. Christian Relig. ii. f. 126v No man can embrace ye grace of the Gospell, but he muste returne from the erroures of hys former life into the right way.
1611 Bible (King James) 2 Kings xviii. 14 I haue offended, returne from me: that which thou puttest on me, wil I beare. View more context for this quotation
a1684 R. Leighton Serm. (1692) 29 We desire to give thee Glory, and take Shame to our selves, and to bear our Chastisement, and to offend no more, to return each from his evil way.
a1768 T. Secker Lect. Catech. (1770) II. 386 Let the innocent of wilful Sin preserve that Treasure with the greatest Circumspection; and the faulty return from their Errors without Delay.
1821 Antijacobin Rev. & Protestant Advocate May 306 The lectures..effected much good... Some have actually returned from their errors, and of these one-half have joined, not the dissenters, but the church.
1879 Evangelical Repository (Philadelphia) Sept. 111 He was a father when the prodigal went away, and still and only a father when the same sinner returned from his sins.
1918 R. G. Moulton Bible at Single View 29 The awakened people is ministering to its own exiles, to afflicted Zion, and to the nations, inviting them..to return from their sins.
1954 H. C. Graef tr. Gregory of Nyssa Lord's Prayer 60 For man does not return from evil to good as easily as he turns towards evil.
1990 Y. Masih Compar. Study Relig. (2000) iii. 65 These natural calamities are there so that the disobedient Israelites may return from their sins.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > reversal of or forsaking one's will or purpose > reverse or abandon one's purpose or intention [verb (transitive)] > desert/renounce a cause, principle, or person
withsayc960
forsakec1175
renayc1300
waive1303
to waive from1303
allayc1330
to fall from ——c1350
relinquish1454
forlesec1460
to give over1477
missake1481
return1483
guerpe1484
abrenounce1537
to turn the back uponc1540
renege1548
forspeak1565
recant1567
reject1574
abnegate1616
abrenunciate1618
derelinque1623
ejurate1623
to give one the backa1624
derelinquisha1631
ejure1642
delinquish1645
desert1654
deviate1757
to give up1970
1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende f. cxvij/2 Their hertes [were so] mollified, that almost were retorned fro the crysten faith [Fr. Et entre ces choses leurs cueurs commencerent a molir. Et lors sainct sebastien vint].
a1500 Lancelot of Laik (1870) 1266 So mokil to hir lady haith she vroght That at that tyme she haith Returnyt hir thocht.
1700 G. Farquhar Constant Couple iii. iii. 28 Such ungenerous Usage will soon return my tir'd Heart.
7. † b. intransitive. In translations from Spanish and Italian: to proceed or begin again to do something. Obsolete. [In quot. 1568, neither the immediate (French) source nor the ulterior Spanish source use the cognate of either return v.1 or turn v. in the passage translated. In quot. ?1575, after Spanish tornar otra vez (13th cent. in this sense), literally ‘to turn again‘. In quot. 1595 and 1626, after Italian ritornare (1532 (used reflexively) and 1624 in this sense, in the passages translated in the quots.).]
a. intransitive. To go back in discourse; to revert to or resume a topic or subject. Cf. to return to one's muttons at mutton n. Phrases 3.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > memory > retrospection, reminiscence > look back, retrospect [verb (intransitive)] > return to a topic
returnc1405
resortc1425
relent?c1500
recur1620
remountc1740
to tread back one's steps1777
hark back1829
c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Man of Law's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 888 To kyng Alla, which I spak of yoore..I wol retourne.
?a1425 (c1400) Mandeville's Trav. (Titus C.xvi) (1919) 34 Now wil I retourne aȝen, or I procede ony ferthere, for to declare ȝou the othere weyes þat drawen towardes Babiloyne.
c1475 tr. C. de Pisan Livre du Corps de Policie (Cambr.) (1977) 103 (MED) Retournyng agayn to oure matier as toucheing the fourte poynte..we muste see what thyngis be moste propre.
c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) lv. 189 Let vs leue spekynge of them tyll we returne therto agayne.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 377 But to returne where we left: After the Duke was fled, as aforesayde [etc.].
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 2 (1623) iii. i. 322 Suff. But now returne we to the false Duke Humfrey. Card. No more of him. View more context for this quotation
1656 J. Harrington Common-wealth of Oceana 155 It is not so much my desire to return upon haunts, as theirs that will not be satisfied.
1662 E. Stillingfleet Origines Sacræ i. iii. §9 But to return to Kircher.
1719 D. Defoe Farther Adventures Robinson Crusoe 72 I return to the Story.
1799 H. More Strict. Mod. Syst. Fem. Educ. (ed. 4) I. 105 To return, however, to the subject of general education.
1838 T. Thomson Chem. Org. Bodies 807 Let us now return to the aqueous solution from which the resinous-looking matter had separated.
1856 J. A. Froude Hist. Eng. (1858) I. i. 74 The subject is one to which..I shall have more than one occasion to return.
1908 L. M. Montgomery Anne of Green Gables xvii. 185 ‘Have you got anything to cut it with?’ queried Diana, wiping away the tears..and returning to practicalities.
1935 F. Dannemann & A. Wolf Hist. Sci., Technol., & Philos. 225 He [sc. Pascal] returns to this subject in the pneumatical sections of his larger work, where he explains [etc.].
1972 J. F. Mountford Keele ii. 35 The newspaper returned to the topic two weeks later very much along the same lines of thought.
2008 C. L. Miller French Atlantic Triangle 54 I will return to the question of their experience later in this study.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > undertaking > beginning action or activity > begin action or activity [verb (intransitive)] > again
renulec1384
recommence1481
return1568
continue1711
resume1815
to start over1852
to start over1852
to pick up1906
1568 T. North tr. A. de Guevara Dial Princes (rev. ed.) iv. xviii. f. 165 After hee had geuen iudgement..against a poor wydow woman, shee answered streight..I appeale to king Philip who is now dronk: that when hee is sober, hee returne to geeue sentence.
?1575 E. Hellowes tr. A. de Guevara Familiar Epist. (new ed.) 242 Whiche..after I had read, & returned againe [Sp. torne otra vez] to reade the same, I did see it was..a bill.
1595 T. Bedingfield tr. N. Machiavelli Florentine Hist. iii. 63 Wherevppon they returned [It. si ritornò] to admonish more boldlie then they were woont.
1626 C. Potter tr. P. Sarpi Hist. Quarrels ii. 120 A few daies after hauing changed his minde..he returned to treat with him [It. ritornò a trattar] as before.
8.
a. intransitive. Chiefly Building. Of a moulding, wall, etc.: to continue at an angle to the previous direction.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > architecture > architectural ornament > [verb (intransitive)] > continue at an angle
return1447
1447 Plea & Mem. Rolls London Guildhall No. A.72.2a (MED) They fynde there a baywyndowe and othir wyndowes..lyneright and vpright by the same stonenwall retournyng from thens southward duryng the length of xxv fote.
1613 T. Campion Relation Royall Entertainm. sig. C 4v Aboue all, for finishing, ran a Cornish, which returned ouer euery Pillaster, seeming all of gold and richly carued.
a1652 I. Jones in B. Allsopp & R. A. Sayce Inigo Jones on Palladio (1970) II. iv. 77 This Architraue..rettornes one ye Pillasters.
1814 J. Britton Archit. Antiq. Great Brit. IV. xi. 180 From these the wall continues to the north-east angle, where is a lofty polygonal building called Guy's Tower, and here the wall returns at right angles to the grand entrance tower gateway.
1883 R. C. Bell & E. J. Poynter tr. Leonardo da Vinci Lit. Wks. II. 65/2 These rise to the same height as the former ones, and over these the continuous architrave returns towards the outer row of pillars and columns.
1912 W. G. Bell Fleet St. in Seven Cent. v. 106 The north wall..was..a massive structure..built of chalk and rag-stone, with quoins of Godstone stone. The wall returned at right angles.
2002 M. Markus in J. Lewis & D. Pringle Spynie Palace & Bishops of Moray iv. 151/2 Its moulding returns around a right-angled corner, indicating that it came from a square or rectangular opening.
b. intransitive. To turn round to face in the opposite direction, to face about. †Also with to, towards, unto, or upon (a person). Now only in to return to face a person.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > direction > point or lie in a direction [verb (intransitive)] > turn round or to face a direction > turn to opposite direction
turnc1225
bewenda1300
to turn aboutc1330
returna1470
wheel1639
face1644
to turn on one's heel1669
to turn around1756
to turn round1787
about-face1896
about-turn1927
U-turn1931
U1971
a1470 T. Malory Morte Darthur (Winch. Coll.) 28 That saw kyng Claryvauns, and returne [d] unto sir Brastias, and eythir smote othir so that horse and man wente to the erthe.
?a1475 (?a1425) tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Harl. 2261) (1872) IV. 463 (MED) When this noble yonge man Iulian huntede..and folowede an herte, the herte returnede [a1387 J. Trevisa tr. tornede his face] to hym.
1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) ii. l. 59 Wallace raturnd as man of mekyll mayne And at a straik the formast has he slayne.
a1500 (?a1410) J. Lydgate Churl & Bird (Lansd.) 297 in Minor Poems (1934) ii. 481 (MED) She took hir fliht and gan ageyn retoorne Towardis hym & seide as ye shal here.
a1600 R. Lindsay Hist. & Cron. Scotl. (1899) II. 99 Bot quhene the protectour..saw the great battell..returnand and geiffand bakis [etc.].
c1600 Diurnal of Remarkable Occurrents (1833) 219 Thaj..returnit agane, and brak abak vpoun thame.
1691 B. Keach Spiritual Melody i. 21 Then do not mourn, ye godly ones, When on you God does run, He pities you, and hears your moans, In mercy will return Again to you, and you shall see His sweet and lovely face.
1780 S. Harrison Songs in Night 105 He will in Mercy yet return, Tho' now he hides his Face.
a1816 A. Ferguson Hist. Progress & Termination Rom. Republic (1830) 110/1 This artful warrior often..precipitantly fled, when he meant to return upon his enemy, and take advantage of any disorder he might incur in a too eager pursuit.
1887 C. King From the Ranks in Lippincott's Monthly Mag. Dec. xiii. 833 He walked back to his bedroom door, glanced in there as though to see that there were no occupants, then carefully closed it as he returned to face his captain.
1921 E. Levison Eye Witness xiv. 187 Staggard..strode to the safe, closed it, and again turned the combination knobs. Then he returned to face Gillian.
2007 J. Roberts Shallow Roots xxi. 214 He turned to look out of the window before heaving an audible sigh and returned to face me with those lovely baby-blue eyes of his.
c. intransitive. To turn round and leave a place, esp. a field of battle; to retire, retreat. Now merged with sense 1.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > backward movement > move backwards [verb (intransitive)] > retire, withdraw, or retreat
withdraw1297
recoilc1330
give place1382
arrear1399
to draw backa1400
resortc1425
adrawc1450
recedec1450
retraya1470
returna1470
rebut1481
wyke1481
umbedrawc1485
retreata1500
retract1535
retire1542
to give back1548
regress1552
to fall back?1567
peak1576
flinch1578
to fall offa1586
to draw off1602
to give ground1607
retrograde1613
to train off1796
to beat a retreat1861
to back off1938
a1470 T. Malory Morte Darthur (Winch. Coll.) 31 Thes two knyghtes were in grete daungere of their lyves, that they were fayne to returne.
1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) xi. l. 672 The Erll off Ȝork consaillyt the king to fle. Than he ratornd, sen na succour thai se.
c1500 (?a1475) Assembly of Gods (1896) 1098 Ye shall your chaunce Take as hit falleth, wherfore returne ye must.
1563 N. Winȝet Certain Tractates (1890) II. 53/11 Wtheris..bayth feris to pereis, and thinkis schame to returne.
1639 R. Zouch Sophister ii. iv. sig. D 3v I..many combats for her honour fought, Never returning conquerd from the field.
a1796 J. Macpherson Poems of Ossian (1805) II. v. 567 Say, why returns young Alpin from the fight? Pursue the foe, and urge the Danish flight.
1814 Scots Mag. Mar. 172/1 If you inquired of those who returned from the field, how the battle was going on, the reply almost invariably was—‘Badly enough’.
1891 F. B. Goodrich World-famous Women 114 She [sc. Joan of Arc]..spurred toward the gate of the city. She met several of her soldiers returning wounded from the fight.
1922 World Tomorrow July 202/2 Ninety times..have we sent our brave men of battle against this foe but..they returned in great disorder bearing many dead.
a. transitive (reflexive). To reverse one's direction, turn round or back. Also with to a person. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > direction > direct [verb (transitive)] > reverse the direction of
reverse?a1439
return1483
to turn back1579
alternate1595
re-enverse1603
retrovert1637
obvert1646
1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende f. ccccxlijv/2 Ryght there he retourneth hym self and salueth the peple.
1533 J. Bellenden tr. Livy Hist. Rome (1903) II. ii. xv. 5 Returnand him to Appius he said [etc.].
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 1 (1623) iii. vii. 56 Returne thee therefore with a floud of Teares, And wash away thy Countries stayned Spots. View more context for this quotation
b. transitive. To reverse the direction of (one's course). Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > backward movement > cause to move back [verb (transitive)] > turn back or reverse the course of > return upon or reverse (a course)
returnc1500
c1500 (?a1475) Assembly of Gods (1896) 100 (MED) Eolus hath oft Made me to retourne my course agayn nature With hys gret blastys.
1582 N. Lichefield tr. F. L. de Castanheda 1st Bk. Hist. Discouerie E. Indias i. ii. 5 They lost each other, and therefore they retourned their course towardes Cabo Verde.
1595 R. Parry Moderatus sig. S 2v Each one of these returne their courses shall, And backewardes shape the same without delay.
c. transitive. To travel back along. Obsolete. rare.
ΚΠ
1597 W. Shakespeare Richard III i. i. 118 Go treade the path that thou shalt nere returne . View more context for this quotation
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > causation > effect, result, or consequence > result [verb (intransitive)] > result or redound to
return1490
1490 W. Caxton tr. Foure Sonnes of Aymon (1885) i. 39 I byleue, yf the kynge beseege the castelle that the worsse shalle retourne [Fr. tournera] vnto hym.
1586 A. Day Eng. Secretorie i. sig. K5v Consider with your self how greeuous the thing you goe about to compasse, maye retourne vnto her.
11. intransitive. Golf. To play the last nine holes in a round of eighteen holes (in a specified number of strokes). Cf. out adv. 2c.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > golf > play golf [verb (intransitive)] > type of play
return1874
three-putt1946
bird1984
1874 Bell's Life in London 24 Oct. 8/6 A stiff breeze gave the players some difficulty in returning.
1881 Glasgow Herald 29 Sept. 5/7 Mr Everard gave a good account of himself and went out with 45, and returned home with one stroke more, his card showing 91 of a total.
1894 Times 12 June 10/2 Mr. C. E. Dick, the clever amateur.., went out in the low score of 40 and returned in 45, bringing out a total of 85.
1904 N.Y. Tribune 11 June 5 Partridge went out in 37 and returned in 38.
1950 Washington Post 9 Aug. 19/4 Returning, she had another one over par, a 36, bogeying seventeen and eighteen.
2008 Irish News (Nexis) 17 Sept. 71 He returned in 32 strokes with a two at the 11th.
II. Senses involving response or exchange (chiefly transitive).† 17. transitive. Finance. To remit (a sum of money), esp. one levied or raised. Obsolete.
12. Chiefly Law.
a. transitive. To report in answer to a writ or to some official demand for information; to state by way of a report or verdict. †Also: to state (a person) to be by way of a verdict (obsolete). Cf. ignoramus n..
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > information > reporting > report [verb (transitive)] > in answer to demand
returna1325
a1325 Statutes of Realm (2011) xii. 66 Schirreues..ne sullen retornen none names of fre boruwes, bote ȝif hoe aperteliche granteden for te ben boruwes.
?1387 T. Wimbledon Serm. (Corpus Cambr.) (1967) 84 Schirreues and ballies wolleþ retorne pore mennes writis wiþ ‘Tarde venit’, but þey felen mede in her handes.
1484 Rolls of Parl.: Richard III (Electronic ed.) Parl. Jan. 1484 §19. m. 16 After office therof retourned into the seid court of chauncery.
1524 in Archæol. Jrnl. (1874) 31 64 Reatorning and testifieing your doing in the premises.
a1596 Sir Thomas More (1911) i. ii. 158 Lifter, stand to the barre: The jurie haue returnd thee guiltie.
?1611 G. Chapman tr. Homer Iliads ix. 580 Let these lords then return th' event, and do thou here repose.
a1661 N. Bernard Case J. Atherton (1710) 18 He heard the Jury had returned him Guilty.
1678 R. Cudworth tr. Plautus in True Intellect. Syst. Universe i. iv. 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.
1716 Mod. Cases King's Bench 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.
1768 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. III. 273 Whatever the sheriff does in pursuance of this writ, he must return or certify to the court of common pleas.
1802 C. James New Mil. Dict. (at cited word) To be returned upon the surgeon's list as unfit for duty.
1845 J. Lingard Hist. & Antiq. Anglo-Saxon Church (ed. 3) I. App. i. 399 The church..of Loiton..is returned in possession of five hides.
1865 J. Doran Ann. Eng. Stage (1880) II. xiv. 186 The jury returned him guilty of manslaughter, without malice aforethought, and the contrite actor was permitted to return to his duty.
1891 Law Times 92 97/2 The liabilities were returned in the statement of affairs at £15,183, with assets at £1042.
1927 Times 19 Mar. 7/5 The total area of land in use for agricultural purposes was returned at 31,000,000 acres.
1976 Eastern Evening News (Norwich) 22 Dec. 1/3 Fisher sighed when the not guilty verdicts were returned.
2006 J. E. Moore Murder on Maryland's Eastern Shore iv. 41 The sheriff returned the writ marked simply, ‘Cepi’ (meaning, ‘I have taken’).
b. transitive. Originally of a sheriff: to report (a person) as having been appointed to serve on a jury. Of a sheriff or (subsequently) returning officer: to report (a person) as having been appointed or elected to sit in Parliament or some other legislative or administrative body. In later use also of a constituency or electorate: to elect as a member of Parliament or other legislative or administrative body. Frequently in passive.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > [verb (transitive)] > empanel a jury
empanel1426
return1426
panel1451
array1635
stick1688
strike1715
society > authority > office > appointment to office > choosing or fact of being chosen for office > election of representative body by vote > proceedings at election > [verb (transitive)] > declare to be elected
validate1659
return1687
1426 Rolls of Parl.: Henry VI (Electronic ed.) Parl. Feb. 1426 §32. m. 7 Where writtes ben directe to þe said sherefs, to enpanell diverses persones to passe in enquestes..þe said sherefs..retourne and certifie diverse mennys names enpanellud, with oute any warnyng of hem.
1437 Rolls of Parl.: Henry VI (Electronic ed.) Parl. Jan. 1437 §26. m. 5 That no shirreve..retourne ne empanell in noon inquisition ne enquest, no persones but thoo enhabitauntz withynne his baylie.
1472–3 Rolls of Parl.: Edward IV (Electronic ed.) Parl. Oct. 1472 1st Roll §43. m. 13 He may direct his severalx writtes..to make open proclamation..that all lordes spirituelx and temporelx..returned in this present parlement, personally appere.
1528–30 tr. T. Littleton Tenures (new ed.) f. xix A panel by force of the same wryt ought to be retorned.
1687 in Colonial Rec. Pennsylvania (1852) I. 196 Joseph Growdon was Returned to serve for three years in Prov[incia]ll Councill.
a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 480 All juries were returned by the Sheriffs.
1770 O. Goldsmith Life Bolingbroke in Misc. Wks. (1895) 452/1 Upon the election of a new Parliament..Bolingbroke was not returned.
1808 ‘P. Plymley’ Eighth, Ninth & Last Let. ix. 28 The 100 Irish members who are returned to parliament will be Catholics.
1845 Ld. Campbell Lives Chancellors III. lxxiv. 117 Hyde..was returned both by Shaftesbury and Wootton Basset.
1898 J. Arch Story of Life 378 I was returned by a majority of 34.
1927 P. G. Osborn Conc. Law Dict. 97 Elisors, persons appointed to return a jury for the trial of an action when the jury returned by the sheriff and that returned by the coroner have been successively challenged to the array for partiality or default.
1951 E. Bowen Shelbourne v. 128 Out of 103 Irish members, 86 Parnellites were returned.
1986 M. Roberts Age of Liberty ii. 70 As with the Burghers, constituencies might club together to return a member.
2004 W. Eather in B. Ellem et al. Peak Unions in Austral. xi. 204 This branch..was instrumental in getting Arthur Rae elected as one of the three members to be returned for the seat of The Murrumbidgee in 1891.
13. † d. intransitive. To make a repayment or response. Obsolete. rare.
a. transitive. To repay or respond to in some way, esp. with something similar; to give a replacement or equivalent for.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > reciprocal treatment or return of an action > make a return [verb (intransitive)]
returna1325
a Roland for an Oliver1548
reciprocate1600
revie1604
correspond1632
to return the compliment1655
retort1783
a1325 Statutes of Realm (2011) v. 6 Ant ȝif þulke to woem þe tressepas is idon wolleth siwen þe harmes þat a habbeth ihaued, sullen ben hoem rewarded ant returned duble.
a1500 Ratis Raving (Cambr. Kk.1.5) l. 418 in R. Girvan Ratis Raving & Other Early Scots Poems (1939) 12 That þow..mone ilk day Tyne of thi gudis or of thi price, Or ellis retwrn thaim wice fra wice.
1593 T. Churchyard Challenge 53 The bountifull minde thinketh it selfe dishonored, if it receaue any seruice, good turne, free gifte or good will, and the same returne not againe with ten times treble fold thankes and reward.
1594 C. Marlowe & T. Nashe Dido i. sig. A4 Chaunging heauens may those good daies returne, Which Pergama did vaunt in all her pride.
1600 W. Shakespeare Henry V iv. vii. 178 I do know Flewellen valiant, And being toucht as hot as gunpowder: And quickly will returne an iniury.
1608 W. Shakespeare King Lear i. 89 You haue begot me, bred me, loued me, I returne those duties backe as are right fit. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Timon of Athens (1623) i. ii. 5 I do returne those Talents Doubled with thankes and seruice, from whose helpe I deriu'd libertie. View more context for this quotation
1686 R. Parr Life J. Usher 48 Which Present was also returned by the Lord Primate, by a Letter of thanks, with a handsome present of Irish Grey-hounds.
1710 R. Steele Tatler No. 227. ⁋1 He returns my Envy with Pity.
1713 R. Steele Englishman No. 10. 67 Men strove not to excel in Justice, but to return Injuries.
1828 W. Scott Tales of Grandfather 2nd Ser. xxxv As Herbert did not return the blow, no scuffle..actually took place.
1853 E. Bulwer-Lytton My Novel III. ix. xvii. 95 I hope to return some day what you then so generously pressed upon me.
1862 Sat. Rev. 1 Feb. 151 We might perhaps ask..whether rabid abuse of England need be returned by equally rabid abuse of America.
1911 J. Conrad Under Western Eyes v. 189 He returned my stare without winking for quite a considerable time.
1984 K. Chase Eros & Psyche iii. 59 Having been so often assaulted, she returns the assault.
2008 G. Morris Joelle's Secret xiii. 175 Owen managed to dodge and instantly returned the blow.
b. transitive. To feel in return, reciprocate (a feeling).
ΚΠ
1549 W. Baldwin Canticles of Salomon ii. §xviii. sig. d.iiiv Returne my Loue, to these that are so blynde, And geue them grace.
1684 A. Behn Poems 92 No Sighs or Tears the Nymph cou'd move, To pity or return their Love.
1705 Lady Norton Applause of Virtue iv. 259 Tho' we cannot love God first, let us at least return his Love.
1790 A. W. Radcliffe Sicilian Romance I. iii. 136 Respectful gratitude is the only sentiment I can return.
1847 W. Hazlitt tr. J. Michelet Hist. Rom. Republic iii. i. 268 Sempronia, Scipio's wife, who, ugly and barren, was disliked by her husband and fully returned his hatred.
1859 Ld. Tennyson Elaine in Idylls of King 203 He loves the Queen, and in an open shame: And she returns his love in open shame.
1906 Independent Rev. Sept. 350 She returned his passion with all the force of her nature.
1955 D. Eden Darling Clementine (1959) 86 Was she genuinely returning Guy's affection or was her warmth and friendliness to be translated into eagerness for possessions?
2007 J. U. Hall Shadow of Excalibur (2008) ii.13 In fact, she suspected he returned her dislike, the way he avoided her.
c. transitive. To repay or respond to by a similar courtesy, compliment, or polite action, or by a visit or telephone call. Cf. to return the compliment at compliment n. 1a, to return a visit at visit n. 1b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > reciprocal treatment or return of an action > treat one as he has been treated [verb (transitive)] > repay (something) with the like
retort?1567
countervail1583
repay?1586
return1587
rebite1594
regratulate1615
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > courtesy > courteous act or expression > use courteous actions or expressions to [verb (transitive)] > respond to by similar act or expressions
return1587
1587 R. Greene Morando sig. F.ijv The companie first requiting Morando with the like courtesie, and then returning his salue with the like salutation, held their peace.
1599 E. Ford Parismenos xiii. sig. O He comming to Parismus, saluted him with great courtesie, who likewise returned him the salutation.
1612 R. Daborne Christian turn'd Turke i. v. sig. I You gaue it me with tilting, and I will returne your curtesie.
1638 R. Baker tr. J. L. G. de Balzac New Epist. II. 68 When I speake of a friend, I meane not..one that can returne visites the next day after hee hath received them.
1703 Clarendon's Hist. Rebellion II. viii. 458 The Earl of Pembroke came to the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Lodging, to return him a visit.
1741 S. Speed in Buccleuch MSS (Hist. MSS Comm.) (1899) I. 395 We..gave three broadsides... They returned the compliment.
1766 O. Goldsmith Vicar of Wakefield I. xvi. 159 My wife and daughters happening to return a visit.
1822 G. C. tr. J.-B. Louvet de Couvray Amours Chevalier de Faublas IV. 163 The Countess fell in a rage, and returned no other answer, than by throwing at his head a candlestick... I saw the moment when the brute would have returned the compliment.
1824 T. B. Macaulay in G. O. Trevelyan Life & Lett. Macaulay (1876) I. iii. 141 To return courtesies which are little else than the blessings of a beggar.
1888 A. S. Swan Doris Cheyne i Mr. Penfold..returned, with some stiffness perhaps, the bow and bland smile with which the intruder favoured him.
1925 W. Williams in B. C. Williams O. Henry Prize Stories (1926) 43 Almost unconsciously, and solemnly, Louis Merignon picked up the other foil and returned his son's salute.
1942 R.A.F. Jrnl. 3 Oct. 35 Another shot his hood off with a cannon..but..he returned the compliment by blowing large pieces off his adversary.
1980 K. Amis Russ. Hide & Seek vii. 75 He's always having to return hospitality he never wanted in the first place.
2008 E. B. LaDuke Postal Blue Image 263 When the central figure from within the postal service's EEO Committee finally returned my telephone call he was able to speak with Kenny.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > giving > give [verb (intransitive)] > give in return
return1675
1675 W. Mountagu in Buccleuch MSS (Hist. MSS Comm.) (1899) I. 321 He ill returns to me for all the care and pains I have taken.
e. transitive. Cards. Esp. in bridge and whist: to play a particular card or suit in response to (a card played by a partner or opponent, esp. a partner's lead). Cf. to return one's partner's lead at lead n.2 4.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > play (a game) [verb (transitive)] > respond to play
return1742
1742 E. Hoyle Short Treat. Game Whist 30 As soon as Trumps are played to you, return them upon your Adversary.
1742 E. Hoyle Short Treat. Game Whist 33 After he has clear'd the Board of Trumps he returns his Partner's Lead.
1773 W. Payne Maxims for playing Whist 40 When trumps are either returned by your partner, or led by the adversaries, you may finess deeply in them.
1830 R. Hardie Hoyle made Familiar 18 Play the ace, and return the knave; the knave is returned in order to strengthen your partner's hand.
1837 C. Dickens Pickwick Papers xxxiv. 382 Why Mr. Pickwick had not returned that diamond, or led the club.
1890 E. D. E. N. Southworth For Woman's Love xiii. 196 She watched Mr. Rockhart's play, always returned his lead, and when her attention was called to the error, she would flush,..declare that she was no whist player at all, and beg to be forgiven.
1974 Bridge Mag. July 28/2 East played the ace and returned a trump.
2004 R. Croskey Rebel's Jackpot xviii. 254 I opened a spade. You took it with your ace. You didn't return my lead.
14. To respond (with) verbally; to speak, say, or write in reply. † c. intransitive. To speak in reply, to retort (to or upon a person). Obsolete.
a. transitive. To give or send (an answer) in reply to a question or message. Also with to and figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > answer > answer [verb (transitive)] > send answer in return
yield?c1225
return1554
remiss1633
1554 J. Proctor Hist. Wyates Rebellion f. 9v Hauing charge vpon his life to returne an answere with all spede.
1587 J. Hooker Chron. Ireland 163/1 in Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) II He returned his answer by a letter..vsing therein nothing but triflings and delaies.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 1 (1623) ii. v. 20 We sent..vnto his Chamber, And answer was return'd, that he will come. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Twelfth Night (1623) i. i. 24 I might not be admitted, But from her handmaid do returne this answer. View more context for this quotation
1624 J. Smith Gen. Hist. Virginia ii. 116 [He] desired me to vrge him no further, but returne his brother this answer.
1709 R. Steele Tatler No. 78. ⁋12 If any one returns me an Answer to a Letter.
1791 A. Radcliffe Romance of Forest I. i. 9 No answer was returned.
1828 J. Q. Adams Jrnl. 20 Mar. in Memoirs (1875) VII. 479 He returned answers of cold and high-wrought rhetorician eloquence.
1850 Ld. Tennyson In Memoriam lxxix. 111 But Death returns an answer sweet. View more context for this quotation
1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. III. xii. 228 Signals were made from the steeples and returned from the mast heads, but were imperfectly understood on both sides.
1891 T. Hardy Tess of the D'Urbervilles III. xliii. 56 Tess, like a bird caught in a clap-net, returned no answer.
1910 H. H. Richardson Getting of Wisdom vii. 70 She..hesitated..before returning one of those ingenuous answers, which..had made her the merry-andrew of the class.
1950 K. Henney Radio Engin. Handbk. (ed. 4) xix. 112 The moving craft sends out the interrogation and the beacon returns the reply.
1966 I. Murdoch Time of Angels ii. 19 Marcus had returned an evasive reply.
1988 B. McGuinness Young Ludwig vi. 201 Evidently Moore returned no answer to Wittgenstein's letter and there was silence between the two men until a remarkable letter of 3 July 1914 from Vienna.
2006 M. Gregg & S. Watkins Hack the Stack viii. 310 If the record is cached, the server will return an answer to the query.
b. transitive to return (one's) thanks: see thank n. Phrases 7.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > answer > [verb (intransitive)] > retort
return1579
retort1603
revie1604
to come back1860
1579 G. Fenton tr. F. Guicciardini Hist. Guicciardin xvii. 992 So the Duke returned vppon him [Fr. répondit] with wordes vehement that so long as he caried in his hands the staffe of commaundement ouer the Venetians, he would not suffer any other to entermedle with his authoritie.
1652 O. Cromwell Let. 30 July (1845) II. 171 My occasions will not permit me to return to you as I would.
1693 Humours & Conversat. Town 31 By all means Sir, Object and Return, as often as you please.
1760 J. Clark Montanus Redivivus v. 91 Suppose, I say, I should return upon you in this manner, (tho' I have heard all these things reported of you) would not you, and very justly, think me a very bad Man?
1820 J. H. Reynolds Fancy p. xxii I am not fibbing, when I say, I regret that my last letter proved so severe a punisher to you. You have, however, returned upon me pretty smartly.
1888 R. L. Stevenson Pop. Authors iv A plain-spoken and possibly high-thinking critic might here perhaps return upon me with my own expressions.
d. transitive. To say or state by way of reply. Also with direct speech as object and †(rare) intransitive.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > answer > answer [verb (transitive)]
andwurdec885
aqueathOE
answerOE
swarec1175
respoundc1300
replyc1425
replique1477
reanswer1523
replicate1535
undersay1579
rejoin1581
resolve1586
return1597
repone1614
resounda1617
repart1631
remoot1676
reason1841
to get back to1963
1597 W. Shakespeare Richard II iii. iii. 120 Northumberland, say thus, the King returnes, His noble Cosen is right welcome hither. View more context for this quotation
1646 T. Fuller Andronicus i. i. sig. B1 Hee returned, that learning was beneath the Greatnesse of a Prince.
1691 T. Hale Acct. New Inventions 18 Whereto we hold it unnecessary here to return any thing in opposition more.
1726 W. Broome in A. Pope et al. tr. Homer Odyssey IV. xvi. 61 The swain returns. A tale of sorrows hear.
1751 S. Richardson Clarissa (ed. 3) III. xli. 217 This was what I returned, with warmth, and with a salving Art too.
1782 W. Cowper John Gilpin 179 The calender..Return'd him not a single word.
1812 A. Chalmers Gen. Biogr. Dict. (new ed.) II. 282 To this Anselm returned, that he was engaged to be no farther the king's subject than the laws of Christianity would give him leave.
1858 Dwight's Jrnl. Music 25 Dec. 306/2 Don Juan returned that he had courage for any thing, and would accept.
1889 Cornhill Mag. Feb. 129 ‘I wish you would’.., returns Frances pettishly.
1901 M. Franklin My Brilliant Career xvi. 133 ‘We might have both been drowned,’ he said sternly. ‘Mights don't fly,’ I returned.
1940 M. M. Goffin Trail of Plow iii. 27 ‘It'll take more than you to stop me, boy,’ Allen returned insolently.
1981 ‘J. Melville’ Murder has Pretty Face iv. 98 ‘Well, that's not likely to worry you, is it?’ returned Diana.
2008 L. Kurland Mage's Daughter vii. 84 ‘No novices allowed,’ he said loudly. ‘He is hardly a novice, is he?’ Morgan returned sharply.
15. † c. transitive. To give in response to a request. Obsolete. rare.
a. transitive. To give or send in return; to respond to a thing received with. Also with to.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > giving > give [verb (transitive)] > give in return
yield971
quita1400
gain-yield1435
render1477
answer1565
regive1575
return1584
to give backa1586
redound1597
retort1602
re-render1628
remete1647
the world > action or operation > behaviour > reciprocal treatment or return of an action > treat one as he has been treated [verb (transitive)] > do or give in return
retribute?1570
return1584
repay1587
rebite1594
retort1637
retally1639
reciprocate1649
the world > existence and causation > creation > [verb (transitive)] > produce or bring forth > yield or produce naturally > yield in return
report1508
return1584
1584 B. R. tr. Herodotus Famous Hyst. i. f. 20 v Lykewyse to auoyd ingratitude: in lue of his presentes they returned vnto hym a brasen Vessell, wroughte about the brymmes wich the pictures of diuerse wylde beastes.
1584 J. Hooker Offices & Duties Sworne Officer Excester sig. A.jv Doo humblie present to the Kings and Princes of the same, some strene or present, dutiefullie witnessing a bounden duetie of their part, as also the Princes by a like gift returned, doo testifie their good will.
1592 R. Greene Philomela sig. Fv Though my wife returned a taunting letter to him openly, yet she might send him sweete lines secretlye, her satiable answere, was but a cloak for the rayne.
1599 R. Hakluyt Princ. Navigations (new ed.) II. i. 96 The commodities which they returned backe were..Muskadels and other wines.
1611 Bible (King James) 1 Sam. vi. 3 Send it not empty; but in any wise returne him a trespasse offring. View more context for this quotation
1660 F. Brooke tr. V. Le Blanc World Surveyed 260 They brought us a good part of their fish,..and we returned them two fine horns excellently wrought.
1705 H. Blackwell Eng. Fencing-master (new ed.) 15 When Tierce is thrusted, return Tierce or Sagoone.
1783 S. Johnson Let. 31 Dec. in J. Boswell Life Johnson (1788) II. cccxxxvi. 342 I returned him a very thankful and respectful letter.
1828 Ann. Reg. 1827 Hist. Europe 271/2 The Intendant Bastos, returned him a very civil note, assuring him that the whole story was a fabrication.
1852 T. Weed Let. 11 Apr. (1866) 567 The Officer struck back with his Sword, cutting Mr. J. slightly in the hand, who returned another blow with his Cane.
1900 H. B. Fuller Last Refuge i. v. 14 To this the youth returned a look of uncomprehending inquiry.
1947 Billboard 6 Sept. 99/2 The..customer drops a quarter in the coin chute of the park meter, which returns him a numbered ticket to post on the windshield of his locked car.
2007 M. Gloss Hearts of Horses xxii. 204 She returned him a look that was partly just surprise, but she saw that he was teasing her.
b. transitive. To give back as a replacement or equivalent, to give or send in repayment. Also with for a thing, to a person or thing.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > giving > giving back or restitution > give back [verb (transitive)]
yieldc897
agiveOE
again-setOE
restorec1325
acquitc1330
to pay outa1382
refundc1386
to give againa1400
quita1400
restituec1400
reliver1426
surrend1450
redeliver1490
refer1496
render1513
rebail1539
re-present1564
regive1575
to give backa1586
to turn back1587
relate1590
turn1597
returna1632
to hand back1638
redonate1656
reappropriate1659
re-cede1684
revert1688
replace1776
restitute1885
to kick back1926
a1632 J. Webster & W. Rowley Cure for Cuckold (1661) iii. i. sig. E 3 Ours..returned 'em fire for fire.
1696 J. Harris City Bride iii. iii. 25 But we, who ne're knew as yet what 'twas so cowardly to yield, and not regarding their unequal Odds, fell boldly on, returning Fire for Fire.
1771 Encycl. Brit. II. 219/2 Weight is returned for weight, to any person who carries their gold and silver to the Tower.
1867 H. Macmillan Bible Teachings viii. 154 We are constantly returning to the earth the materials we receive from it.
1885 Manch. Examiner 15 May 5/3 They will not be slow to return him like for like.
1906 C. MacCauley Introd. Course in Japanese (ed. 2) iii. xxvi. 373 Just before he went away I casually asked him whether he had ever returned the money I gave him in the spring.
1946 S. T. Felstead Stars who made Halls viii. 83 The chronic hard-ups who hung around Poverty Corner were everlastingly borrowing his money and omitting to return it.
1968 P. Warner Sieges of Middle Ages vii. 136 For every stone that was launched into the castle one went back, for every arrow or dart one would be returned.
1979 J. G. Murphy Retribution, Justice, & Therapy 84 Perhaps the most common criticism of Kant's theory is the claim that the principle jus talionis (return like for like) cannot with sense be taken literally.
2007 M. Ayub Understanding Islamic Finance (2008) vii. 163 The liability to return the loan (current deposit) will not be affected by the bank's solvency or otherwise.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > giving > give [verb (transitive)] > give in answer to request
answer1587
return1634
1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 169 Forced by inordinate thirst to call for water, she returnes me old intoxicating Shiraz Wine.
16. Chiefly Business and Finance.† b. intransitive. To amount to a certain sum. Obsolete. rare.† c. transitive. To receive in exchange for effort or investment or as a result of ownership. Obsolete. rare.
a. transitive. To provide or bring back in exchange for effort or investment or as a result of ownership; to yield as a return. Frequently in to return a profit.
ΚΠ
1588 T. Hariot Briefe Rep. Virginia sig. A4(1) Secondly, that..you may generally know & learne what the countrey is, & therevpon consider how your dealing therein if it proceede, may returne you profit and gaine.
1596 W. Raleigh Discoverie Guiana (new ed.) ⁋iij I was not bounde to satisfie anie man of the quantitie, but such onely as aduentured, if any store had been returned thereof.
1597 A. Munday tr. 2nd Pt. Palmerin D'Oliua xxxii. sig. M 2v Faine would I request one boone of your Maiestie, the grant whereof shall returne you both profit and honor [Fr. qui ne vous peult tourner qu'à proffit & honneur].
1610 J. Healey tr. St. Augustine Citie of God i. xiv. 25 If the worship of these Gods returne mens happinesse in the life to come.
1612 J. Davies Discouerie Causes Ireland 132 Ireland had beene..Planted, and Improoued; and returned a rich Reuennew to the Crowne of England.
1756 T. Hale et al. Compl. Body Husbandry v. iv. 219/2 The Sheep; an Article of vast Concernment to the Farmer: cheap in the Purchase; easily fed; and returning a great Profit by many several Ways.
1801 R. Fraser Stat. Surv. Co. Wicklow ii. 50 in Gen. View Co. Wicklow We have found people of that class [sc. the common farmer] in Ireland not easily to be persuaded, that they will return a profit to them proportional to their greater trouble or expence.
1833 G. P. Scrope Princ. Polit. Econ. xiii. 341 A very large proportion of the land of this country..would return a profit..upon the capital that might be expended in its conversion from pasture or a state of waste to arable.
1883 Bookseller 11 Dec. 1289/1 Instructed to Sell the following Businesses... In one of the most aristocratic Watering-places on the South Coast, returning nearly £3,000 per annum, at large profits [etc.].
1907 Agric. Gaz. New S. Wales 18 81 We have sent out of this State not less than 55,785 lb. [of wax] year by year, which has returned annually about £6,000.
1937 Life 26 July 85/2 (advt.) Big loads return the largest profit on drivers' wages.
1967 A. J. Matusow Farm Policies & Politics in Truman Years i. 3 Conditioned by the long trauma of the Depression, many food officials labored through the war years more fearful of returning surpluses than of the world food shortages that were mounting yearly.
2005 S. Eyman Lion of Hollywood vi. 180 The forty films it released in the 1932–33 season returned a profit well in excess of $4 million.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > management of money > keeping accounts > keep accounts [verb (transitive)] > amount to
amount1399
draw1425
return1624
net1772
to run up1830
total1880
to tot up1882
1624 J. Smith Gen. Hist. Virginia vi. 244 5000. persons, whose labours returne yeerely to about 135000. pound sterling.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > [verb (transitive)] > cause to circulate by trade
to turn over1585
turn1598
to turn and wind1598
wind1598
return1677
handle1889
1677 A. Yarranton England's Improvem. 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.
1761 Charac. in Ann. Reg. 63/1 From the time of his opening this shop, till the year 1759, he returned annually about two thousand pounds.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > payment > pay money or things [verb (transitive)] > remit money
remit1543
return1615
1615 J. Davies Le Primer Report des Cases en Ireland f. 93 To lend and disburse the moneys taxed, and returne the same by exchange to Rome.
1641 W. Prynne Humble Remonstr. 17 They cannot be compelled to levie so much money, to returne it to your Exchequer, or to any of your Officers hands.
1656 J. Harrington Common-wealth of Oceana 77 The Parishes having Levied the Tax money,..shall return it unto the Officers of the Hundreds.
1702 Clarendon's Hist. Rebellion I. i. 53 Instead of a Ship, he should levy..a Summ of Money, and return the same to the Treasurer of the Navy for his Majesty's use.
18.
a. transitive. Betting. To report or announce (a starting price on a horse, etc.). Also: to set (a horse, etc.) at a given price. Frequently in passive.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > betting > bet on [verb (transitive)] > report starting price, or set (horse, etc.) at price
return1844
1844 Bell's Life in London 28 July Prizefighter was also in favour, but no one could be found to bet the odds demanded—8 to 1; the price returned is the outside.
1855 Bell's Life in London 23 Sept. 4/1 Much greater odds might have been obtained all over the Ring than the price at which the horse was returned in our report.
1897 A. E. T. Watson Racing & 'Chasing 273 Chimney Corner's starting price was duly returned at 100 to 8.
1951 E. 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.
1986 Greyhound Star Aug. 16/1 Paddy Hancox's charge, returned at 5-2, broke first and soon opened up a lead.
2002 N. Mordin Winning without Thinking i. 21 You'd actually make a small profit betting them to place, even if they were all returned at the very minimum Tote price.
b. transitive. Golf. To record (a score). Cf. sense 11.
ΚΠ
1870 Bell's Life in London 7 Sept. 1/6 The uniform numbers returned showed how keen the rivalry had been. Mr A. Kinross was the winner of the first prize,..having holed the two rounds in 63.
1898 G. Smith World of Golf ix. 130 Braid returned a 74 in the competition, and H. Vardon a 76.
1922 R. Wethered & J. Wethered Golf from Two Sides 176 On two representative courses over which my brother and I have played a great deal, he has returned a score of 67 in each case.
1957 Times 14 June 5/1 Sewell appeared likely to return a really good score.
2004 Richmond (Va.) Times Disp. (Nexis) 13 Oct. (City ed.) e1 The State Junior champion..returned a 70 yesterday for a two-day total of 144.
c. transitive. Cricket. Of a bowler: to achieve (bowling figures) in an innings or other session of play.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > bowling > bowl [verb (transitive)] > achieve bowling figures
return1933
1933 Times 30 Aug. 5/3 Hopwood..returned the best bowling analysis of his career, taking nine wickets for 33 runs.
1969 Times 29 July 9/2 The best bowling figures..were returned by Bore.
1977 J. Laker One-day Cricket 69 Gilmour returned the staggering figures of 12–6–14–6.
2003 A. Odendaal Story Afr. Game iv. xiv. 135/2 Eric Majola returned figures of five for ten.
III. Senses involving the reversing of the direction of a thing or person in some way (chiefly transitive).† 24. transitive. To induce (a person or animal) to come or go back. Obsolete.† 25. † 26. transitive. To recall, summon back. Also: to call off. Obsolete.
19. † a. transitive. To turn round (a horse, ship, or other means of transport) to face in the opposite direction; to reverse the course of. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > transport > riding on horse (or other animal) > ride (a horse or other animal) [verb (transitive)] > turn (a horse) to face the other way
returnc1400
c1400 Brut (Rawl. B. 171) 70 (MED) When þai werne in þe hye see, hir wille chaungede..& þai retournede hire nauye & come aȝeyne into þis land.
c1440 (?a1400) Morte Arthure 1395 (MED) Þe riche Romayns retournes þaire brydills To þaire tentis in tene.
c1500 Melusine (1895) 309 (MED) Whan he cam in to the feldes he retourned hys hors & beheld toward thabbaye.
1553 R. Eden tr. S. Münster Treat. Newe India sig. Kiij Returninge his shyppes towarde the West, he found a more holsome ayre.
1607 S. Rowlands Famous Hist. Guy of Warwicke (Hunterian Club) 53 Then very lightly Guy returns his Horse, And comes up on him with redoubled might.
b. transitive. Chiefly Building. To cause to continue at an angle (spec. at a right angle) to the previous course.
ΚΠ
1712 J. James tr. A.-J. Dézallier d'Argenville Theory & Pract. Gardening ii. i. 82 At the four Extremities of these Rulers..are Sights placed for raising a Square, and returning a Line at Right Angles [Fr. qui servent à se retourner d'équerre & à angles droites].
1726 R. Bradley Gen. Treat. Husbandry & Gardening (rev. ed.) II. 204 From each of these [walls] should run a Flue..return'd towards the Peer over the Fire-place.
1731 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 37 28 We then thought of trying whether the Attraction would not be stronger without doubling or returning the Line.
1731 P. Miller Gardeners Dict. I. at Stoves Over this the second Flue must be return'd back again.
1825 ‘J. Nicholson’ Operative Mechanic 545 The trouble of plumbing and returning the quoins, is considered equivalent to the deficiency of materials.
1874 J. T. Micklethwaite Mod. Parish Churches 59 I propose that the upper row of stalls should be returned at the west end of the chancel.
1912 A. Reynolds Churchman's Guide (ed. 2) 348/2 The stalls of a church..should always be ‘returned’, that is, brought round at right angles from the north and south walls of the quire.
1979 B. F. Tolles & C. K. Tolles New Hampsh. Archit. 377 A pediment is formed naturally on the gable end of a building, when the raking cornices are returned across the end of the structure.
2008 G. Huey Trim Carpentry for Homeowner 34/2 Use a wide apron with lots of details that is ‘returned’ on itself. To return the moulding to the wall, cut the ends at a 45° cut to the wall, then cut a small piece that fits to the end while continuing the moulding profile back to the wall.
20. transitive. To bring, convey, or hand back to a place or person. Usually with adverb or adverbial phrase of direction.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > transference > bringing > bring [verb (transitive)] > back
again-bringOE
return?c1400
remand?1473
retract1650
to bring back1662
reimport1684
?c1400 (c1380) G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (BL Add. 10340) (1868) iii. met. ii. l. 1880 Phebus þat failleþ at euene in þe westrene wawes retorniþ aȝein eftsones his cart by a priue paþe þere as it is wont aryse.
?a1475 (?a1425) tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Harl. 2261) (1865) 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.
c1500 Melusine (1895) 114 Goo thanne fourth on your waye, vnder the sauegarde of god, who kepe you, lede & retourne you agayn with joye.
?1548 J. Bale Comedy Thre Lawes Nature i. sig. Aiiijv Thu shalt my people, returne from farre exyle.
1650 W. Brough Sacred Princ. 413 This Heales Sin.., Returnes thee both to God and thy self.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost vii. 16 With like safetie guided down Return me to my Native Element. View more context for this quotation
1704 J. Harris Lexicon Technicum I. at Returno habendo A Writ that lies..for returning to him the Cattle distrained.
1713 A. Pope Ode Musick 5 Restore, restore Eurydice to Life; Oh take the Husband, or return the Wife!
1727 D. Defoe Ess. Apparitions xiii. 339 All these Cases, however, return me back to the Advice above.
1756 B. Franklin Let. 27 July in Papers (1963) VI. 474 The Officers who enlist them, shall..return the Servant, the Master paying back the Enlisting Money.
1809 Med. & Physical Jrnl. 21 183 He returned the vessel to the nurse, after he had swallowed some of the fluid.
1841 T. H. Horne Introd. Crit. Study Holy Script. (new ed.) II. iv. ii. 159/2 It was the office of servants to take off the sandals of guests, and..to return them to the owners on their departure.
1860 Once a Week 1 Dec. 634/2 When again the snorting steam-engine had returned me to the little station adjoining Castle Fitz-Arden, four months had elapsed.
1907 A. B. Teetgen Life & Times Empress Pulcheria xxiii. 202 Theodosius took the vessel in recognition of the service, but immediately returned it to the soldier without so much as moistening his lips.
1952 Jet 14 Aug. 8 Military police arrested and returned him to Camp Pickett.
1978 D. Baker Rocket xi. 212/1 This vehicle would be used to carry a few crew members down to the surface of Mars and return them to the orbiting station.
2007 D. Hales & D. Williams Wow! That's what I call Service! 107 Visit over, and my ‘personal chauffeur’, Peter, returned me back to the park itself.
21. † b. transitive. With adjective complement: to make or render again. Obsolete. rare.
a. transitive. To bring back or restore to a former position or condition; to restore to a normal state; †to retransform. Usually with to (also into).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > amending > restoration > restore [verb (transitive)] > a thing to or into previous condition
reversec1350
reforma1393
recover1393
converta1425
reduce?a1425
revolve1431
returnc1436
recure?1440
remayne1481
relieve1483
redressc1500
restaur1508
reprieve?1567
recollect1606
redeem1613
regain1624
to bring back1662
re-reducea1676
c1436 Domesday Ipswich (BL Add. 25011) in T. Twiss Black Bk. Admiralty (1873) II. 113 Ȝif [printed zif] ony swich sequestre be brokyn..and of that he be atteynt, by his body for the dispyt and trespas and awarded to prisoun, and there for to dwelle til that the chateux so boryn awey ben plenerly retornyd [Fr. returnez] to the value.
c1475 in R. H. Robbins Hist. Poems 14th & 15th Cent. (1959) 223 (MED) Henry..by gret foly, All hath retourned unto huge langoure.
1525 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles II. 599 To retourne all the landes agayne to the governynge of the kyng of Englande.
1584 R. Scot Discouerie Witchcraft v. iii. 94 Of a man turned into an asse, and returned againe into a man by one of Bodins witches.
1655 Campion's Art of composing Musick in Parts in J. Playford Introd. Skill Musick ii. 22 If you return the eight of the Treble into a third again.
1694 J. Collier Misc. v. 70 A Man cannot always stand bent; so that either Negligence, or Passion,..will some time or other return the Posture.
a1721 W. Darrell Moral Refl. Select Passages New Test. (1736) II. 61 Thou madest me of nothing; and when sin returned me to nothing, thou didst revive me by thy death.
1824 A. Dods Pathol. Observ. Spine iv. ii. 213 It is..to return the displaced vertebræ to their natural situations, that I make use of manipulation.
1883 R. Jefferies Story Heart (1891) v. 91 Torso and limb, bust and neck instantly returned me to myself.
1927 Pop. Sci. Monthly Sept. 14/1 Marley had not forgotten the bitter humiliation attending a forced resignation two years before. No matter if subsequent events had returned him to his former place of grandeur.
1950 Billboard 21 Jan. 70/3 In the next few weeks the fair meeting season will be over, and everyone who dusted off his rocks for the occasions can return them into hock.
2002 J. R. Groff & P. N. Weinberg SQL (ed. 2) xvii. 527 Others convert the date/time data to text format and return it into a string host variable.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > creation > [verb (transitive)] > anew
regendera1400
re-engender1545
return1559
instaurate1583
new-make1585
recreate1587
remake1603
regenerate1607
new-create1608
reproduce1611
reconstruct1762
1559 in J. Strype Ann. Reformation (1709) I. xiii. 174 Pretending that Q. Mary of famous memory had returned the realm wholly Catholic.
22. † b. transitive. To move or put or pull back (one's hand). Obsolete. rare.
a. transitive. To direct or redirect the focus or attention of (esp. one's eyes, sight, or thoughts) towards something. Usually with to (occasionally unto).
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > direction > specific directions > direct in specific directions [verb (transitive)] > direct or turn backwards
returna1450
reverse1523
to turn back1579
retort1583
reverta1657
a1450 (?c1421) J. Lydgate Siege Thebes (Arun.) (1911) l. 2124 (MED) Thus leue I hym ride forth a while, whilys that I retourne ageyn my style Vnto the kyng.
c1475 (a1449) J. Lydgate Minor Poems (1934) ii. 524 Calling ageyn on-to remembraunce Kyng Ethelstan, my penne I wyll retourne, As I began, in ordre to proceede, Of his compleynt to make mencyoun.
1492 J. Ryman Poems xii, in Archiv f. das Studium der Neueren Sprachen (1892) 89 181 Returne to vs thy louely face.
1509 A. Barclay Brant's Shyp of Folys (Pynson) f. iiiv Retourne your syght beholde vnto the shore.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene ii. iii. sig. Pv Each bad other flye: Both fled attonce, ne euer backe retourned eye.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene iii. viii. sig. Kk4 Braggadochio..Once hauing turnd, no more returnd his face.
1647 N. Bacon Hist. Disc. Govt. 170 The King..then returns his thoughts for France.
1783 tr. Comtesse de Genlis Adelaide & Theodore II. 50 I returned my thoughts to that supreme judge, who can alone set a just value on man's works.
1848 P. J. Bailey Festus (ed. 3) 214 And I returned mine hungry eyes to the light.
1865 20th Ann. Rep. Public Schools Rhode Island 80 [The]recitation should stop until the matter is attended to and the teacher can return his thoughts to the class.
1910 T. N. Page Gordon Keith vii. 99 One of them, at least, was beginning, when he returned his eyes to the future, to catch the glimmer of a very rosy light.
1937 M. S. Peterson J. Miller i. 19 In the middle of the summer of 1849 an event occurred that returned their thoughts from the Far West to something near at hand.
1981 Nat. Gallery News Aug. 2/1 After a visit to the Dutch fishing village of Zandvoort in 1857..he returned his interest to fishermen and seascapes.
2006 E. Wilder Gathering of Diamonds (2007) xxxi. 246 The wonderful aroma from the nearby bakery returned my thoughts to the loaves of Elizabeth's delicious bread.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > backward movement > cause to move back [verb (transitive)] > move or draw something backwards
shrinkc1275
withdrawa1325
retreata1460
retract?a1475
revokea1500
retray1562
revolt1571
back1578
return1594
inshella1616
recede1823
1594 I. G. tr. G. di Grassi True Arte Def. sig. O 3 The thrust beeing thus deliuered, hee shall presentlie retyre his saide pace, and returne his hand againe to the crosse [It. Quando audesse d'effetto uoto si puo subito rihauere, ritirando il paso & il braccio ponendo laltra mano a suo loco affermandosi in guardia bassa. Ritrouandosi dunque in guardia altra].
1699 J. Potter Archæologiæ Græcæ II. iii. iv. 50 The primitive Grecians.., placing their Bows directly before them, return'd their Hand upon their right Breast.
1760 L. Sterne Life Tristram Shandy II. xvii. 140 Here Trim kept waving his right hand.., returning it backwards and forwards to the conclusion of the Paragraph.
23. † b. transitive. To force to turn back or retreat. Also with to a place. Obsolete.
a. transitive. To send (a person or thing) back to a starting point; (Law) to send (a writ) to a court with a report. Also with adverb or adverbial phrase of direction. Cf. to return an execution at execution n. 7a.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > transport > [verb (transitive)] > cause to be conveyed or send > back again
remand1439
return1459
remita1466
resend1534
backward1789
reship1854
1459 Rolls of Parl.: Henry VI (Electronic ed.) Parl. Nov. 1459 §36. m. 13 That the said shirref or shirrefs deuly serve and retourne the said writte or writts, at such day as is conteyned in the same.
a1460 Knyghthode & Bataile (Pembr. Cambr. 243) l. 1668 But and he [sc. a horse] fle, retourne him fast agayn.
1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis ii. 37 Achilles..me to my kingdoom both gently and truely returned [L. remisit].
c1595 Capt. Wyatt in G. F. Warner Voy. R. Dudley to W. Indies (1899) 39 The commaunder of that place, returninge our messingers the next daie.., promised..to com.
1642 tr. J. Perkins Profitable Bk. xi. §760. 333 If..the Sherife returne the writ at the day.
1711 E. Budgell Spectator 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.
1726 E. Fenton in A. Pope et al. tr. Homer Odyssey IV. xix. 541 Autolycus..from the Delphic dome With added gifts return'd him [sc. Ulysses] glorious home.
1765 R. Rogers Jrnls. (1769) 156 He saw at Montreal two Rangers,..that were returned by Col. Haviland.
1807 W. Roberts Treat. Statute of Frauds iii. 176 I have therefore, returned it to you by the same conveyance it was forwarded by to this place.
1838 J. F. Archbold Pract. Country Attornies & their Agents 579 It is the duty of the sheriff to return the writ of capias.
1848 J. S. Mill Princ. Polit. Econ. II. iii. xxiii. 183 Deposits are withdrawn from banks, notes are returned on the issuers in exchange for specie.
1877 R. W. Raymond Statistics Mines & Mining 108 The loaded buckets or cars coming down and emptying themselves would return the empty ones.
1906 J. Galsworthy Man of Prop. 37 The cheque had been returned in a letter from the ‘Hotch Potch’.
1946 R. W. Lindner Stone Walls & Men xxiv. 479 The most they can do is see the releasee once or twice..and, if he is in trouble, either to return him to prison or make minor situational readjustments to stave off for a while such a catastrophe.
1975 Pop. Mech. Oct. 131/3 (advt.) If you don't think my book is worth a fortune to you, return it to me in 60 days for a full money-back refund.
1982 T. R. Turner Beware People Weeping xii. 172 At 11:30 General Hancock appeared accompanied by Attorney General Speed and returned the writ with President Johnson's endorsement suspending its execution.
2006 C. L. Ferrell Abolitionist Movement 122 Douglass was then hired out for two years to William Freeland who treated him well but who returned him to Baltimore when he suspected him of conspiring to escape.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > backward movement > cause to move back [verb (transitive)] > turn back or reverse the course of
reverse?a1439
to turn back?1531
return?1542
retrograde1582
tergiverse1602
turn1665
to roll back1695
revert1814
?1542 H. Brinkelow Complaynt Roderyck Mors xviii. sig. E3v If he passe the second, he shal be returnyd at the thyrd, onlesse he be rych or haue great fryndys.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost xii. 219 Least..Warr terrifie them inexpert, and feare Return them back to Egypt. View more context for this quotation
1708 in A. Mitchell Inverness Kirk-session Rec. (1902) 35 The French, who came..to invade us..were returned in great confusion and considerable damnadge.
1842 T. P. Thompson Exercises I. 52 Till Vishnu array himself.., to return him to his deep.
c. transitive. To send back the waves of (sound or light); to echo or reflect back.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > light > reflection > [verb (transitive)]
rebounda1450
reflexc1536
reflect1555
return1557
repercuss1604
retort1609
refract1621
reverberate1638
to throw back1698
flash1716
to give back1831
glint1844
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > resonance or sonority > resound [verb (transitive)] > reverberate or echo
answera1425
redoublea1542
rebound1555
return1557
reply1565
report1589
re-echo1595
repercuss?a1597
render1598
reverberate1603
respeak1604
reverb1608
retort1609
reword1609
revoice1610
refract1621
to give back1889
1557 Earl of Surrey et al. Songes & Sonettes sig. B.iiiv Eccho (alas) that dothe my sorow rewe, Returns therto a hollow sounde of playnte.
1646 H. More Democritus Platonissans 5 And eke the hardy rocks with full rebounds Would faithfully return thy silver sounds.
1693 J. Dryden tr. Persius Satires iii. 33 A flaw is in thy ill-bak'd Vessel found; 'Tis hollow, and returns a jarring sound.
1711 E. Budgell Spectator No. 116. ⁋7 The Chiding of the Hounds, which was returned upon us in a double Eccho, from two neighbouring Hills.
1728 A. Pope Dunciad ii. 240 Long Chanc'ry-lane retentive rolls the sound, And courts to courts return it round and round.
1810 W. Scott Lady of Lake iii. 140 And lake and fell Three times returned the martial yell.
1819 W. Scott Paraphr. Exod. xiii in Ivanhoe III. ix. 204 Arabia's crimson'd sands Return'd the fiery column's glow.
1875 G. Hartwig Aerial World iv. 42 The walls and clefts of the magnificent mountain return the sound with indescribable beauty.
1924 G. E. Hale Depths of Universe i. 25 (caption) The light from the star under observation..is reflected back to the smaller convex mirror near the upper end. This returns the narrowing cone of light to a plane mirror at the intersection of the declination and polar axes.
1948 National Geographic Mag. Sept. 277/2 So incredibly numerous are such sea creatures that this layer of ocean life actually returns an echo of the sound sent down by the Fathometer.
2006 P. Carter Imaging Sci. iv. 130 This layer is attached to a strong plastic base by an adhesive reflective layer, which returns light towards the film.
d. transitive. Sport. In racket sports, volleyball, etc.: to hit (a ball or shuttlecock) back in response to a shot (now esp. a serve) by one's opponent. Also figurative. Also intransitive.
ΚΠ
1614 T. Lodge tr. Seneca Of Benefits in tr. Seneca Wks. 28 Seruing and striking it gently, we will giue the ball to his hand; and if he rebandie it backe, we returne it as gently.
1797 T. Holcroft Adventures Hugh Trevor IV. xiv. 205 Innovation struck the ball at first too impetuously: but Establishment took it at the rebound, and returned it with triple violence.
1829 London Encycl. XXI. 744/2 When the player gives his service at the beginning of a set, his adversary is supposed to return the ball.
1858 C. J. Newby Margaret Hamilton II. xv. 264 Miss Tindale so evidently expected, that he would take up the battledore and return the shuttlecock of wit, which she threw at him.
1878 J. Marshall Ann. Tennis i. 43 Both these players volleyed and returned the most difficult strokes with such ease.
1907 A. S. Pier Young in Heart ii. 43 Remember..how he returned the stroke, and how you next shot the ball down the side line, thinking to pass him.
1947 Pop. Mech. Apr. 103 Players..put up a ‘block’ defense to return sizzling smash.
1985 Telegraph (Austral.) (Nexis) 1 Apr. He used his slice serve to advantage on the slippery and low bouncing centre court and returned very well all match.
2005 Independent 4 July 74 Roddick hit a forehand long after Federer returned his serve.
e. transitive. American Football. To collect the ball from (a kick-off or punt by the opposing team) and carry it upfield; to intercept (a pass) or retrieve (a fumble) and carry it upfield. Also with ball as object.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > football > American football > play American football [verb (intransitive)] > actions or manoeuvres
rush1873
return1884
block1889
goal1900
drive1902
interfere1920
submarine1925
lateral1927
lateral1930
pull1933
to hand off1937
shovel pass1948
bootleg1951
scramble1964
spear1964
blitz1965
convert1970
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > football > American football > play American football [verb (transitive)] > actions to ball
return1884
snap1887
drive1889
centre1895
to turn over1921
convert1932
lateral1932
snag1942
shovel pass1948
bootleg1951
squib1966
to take a (also the) knee1972
spike1976
1884 Hartford (Connecticut) Daily Courant 28 Nov. 3/4 Pennsylvania kicked off, returned by Saxe to Pennsylvania's 30 yard line.
1898 Michigan Alumnus Dec. 119/2 McLean played a star game and excelled at returning the ball from the kick off.
1955 Los Angeles Times 31 Aug. iv. 2/1 Vic Janowicz plunged three yards in the second period,..and Gene Brito recovered and returned a fumble 28 yards for the Redskins touchdowns.
1972 J. Mosedale Football x. 143 Eight times he returned punts for touchdowns—a record.
1988 Touchdown Nov. 21/1 On the ensuing kickoff..Woodson displayed his immense athletic talents as he returned the ball 92 yards for a touchdown.
1991 Sports Illustr. 21 Jan. 25/2 Cornerback Mark Collins picked it off and returned it 11 yards to set up a Giants field goal.
2004 Chicago Tribune (Midwest ed.) 27 Dec. iii. 8/1 Michael Lewis returned a kickoff 96 yards for a score.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > motivation > persuasion > persuade (a person) [verb (transitive)] > persuade or prevail upon > to do something > to come (back)
returna1460
procure1541
a1460 Knyghthode & Bataile (Pembr. Cambr. 243) l. 2156 (MED) If part of thooste be fled & part prevaile, Heryn the Prince exploye his valiaunce, Hem myghtily retournyng to bataile.
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. ccclxxv. 624 To retourne agayne the fleers, and to fyght with theyr ennemies.
a1547 Earl of Surrey tr. Virgil Fourth Bk. Aeneas (1554) iv. sig. Di I haue founde the waye Hym to returne, or lose me from hys loue.
1591 Troublesome Raigne Iohn ii. To Rdr. sig. A2 We left..Hubert posting to returne those Lords, Who deemd him [sc. Arthur] dead, and parted discontent.
1657 S. Purchas Theatre Flying-insects 30 The Queen Bee never voluntarily deserts her subjects, as Aelian and others intimate, affirming that the Bees diligently seek her out, and return her when shee hath fled away.
a. transitive. To respond by applying (a charge, argument, accusation, etc.) to (also against, upon) the person who made it. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > answer > answer [verb (transitive)] > sharply
returna1500
reply1526
snap1550
pat1575
retort1597
regyre1606
regest1614
retaliate1632
snap1647
repartee1677
riposte1823
to shoot back1974
the mind > attention and judgement > testing > refutation, disproof > refute, disprove [verb (transitive)] > by counter-charge
answerOE
returna1500
retort?1542
reject1553
recharge1566
contort?1567
invert1584
reband1588
recriminate1603
rebut1624
countercharge1626
occur1660
counterprove1679
a1500 tr. A. Chartier Famylyer Dyaloge Freende & Felaw (Sion Coll. London) (1989) 13 And now y wyl returne thys ensample agaynst the yf so be that þou wylt answer to my questyon.
1562 T. Cooper Answere Def. Truth f. 101v, in Apol. Priuate Masse The same crimes may bee more iustly retourned to your selfe and yours.
1593 R. Henryson Test. Cresseid sig. Biv Thus hir leving unclene and Lecherous Scho wald returne [?a1505 retorte] on me and my Mother.
1608 A. Willet Hexapla in Exodum 455 This reason may be returned againe vpon him.
1681 J. Dryden Absalom & Achitophel To Rdr. p. i I expect you should return upon me, that I affect to be thought more Impartial than I am.
1719 D. Defoe Farther Adventures Robinson Crusoe 149 But recollecting what he had said,..I return'd it back upon him.
1859 A. Trollope Kellys & O'Kellys (new ed.) xxxiv. 336 He would, of course, deny the truth of the accusation, and probably return the charge on his accuser.
1862 W. Howitt Cassell's Illustr. Hist. Eng. II. 44/1 The jacobins, in their turn, returned the accusations on the Girondists.
b. transitive. To send or turn back to affect the sender adversely, to visit (something) upon (also on) a person. Frequently in to return (something) upon a person's head. Obsolete (archaic and rare in later use).
ΚΠ
a1547 Earl of Surrey tr. Virgil Certain Bks. Aenæis (1557) ii. sig. Bi Which fate the Gods first on him self return.
1611 Bible (King James) 1 Kings ii. 32 The Lord shall returne his blood vpon his owne head. View more context for this quotation
1611 Bible (King James) 1 Kings ii. 44 The Lord shall returne thy wickednesse vpon thine owne head. View more context for this quotation
1667 J. Dryden Annus Mirabilis 1666 cclxiv. 67 If mercy be a Precept of thy will, Return that mercy on thy Servant's head.
a1781 G. Innes Fourteen Disc. Pract. Subj. (1783) ii. 32 Some notable judgement has suddenly overtaken them..and God has blasted all their designs, and returned their wickedness upon their own head.
1870 Monthly Packet May 426 All true and loyal hearts..would long that those intercessions might yet be returned upon their heads.
1909 W. M. McKeever Psychologic Method in Teaching iii. xx. 289 The manner in which the pupil's evil act is to be returned upon his own head is to be decided in accordance with the merits of each particular case.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > command > command or bidding > command [verb (transitive)] > summon > back
again-callc1390
revokec1425
rescrya1450
countermand1464
renvoy1477
reappeal1480
repeala1500
remand1525
recall1567
reclaim1590
return1590
speed1606
to call back1611
hark back1813
withcall1901
1590 L. Lloyd First Pt. Diall of Daies 160 Seeing that hee could do no good hee returned his siege and marched with his army toward Apulia.
1617 Buccleuch MSS (Hist. MSS Comm.) (1899) I. 187 The calling away the armada, and returning it again in that manner.
27.
a. transitive. Military. To replace (a weapon) in the usual receptacle or position.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > drill or training > drill [verb (transitive)] > position weapons
charge1509
trailc1550
present1579
recover1594
return1598
handle1621
rest1622
port1625
slope1625
reverse1630
to order arms1678
carry1779
1598 S. Brandon Tragicomoedi of Vertuous Octauia sig. B i. v Returne your weapons, and heere, quietly, With reason, quench the force, of angry flames.
1676 Abridgement Eng. Mil. Discipline 54 The same Words of Command are given for the other Pistol, and then as followeth..Return your swords.
1696 R. Howlett School Recreat. (new ed.) 53 Return your scowrer. [i.e.] Put it up in its proper place.
1696 R. Howlett School Recreat. (new ed.) 57 When by command your Swords are returned, stand upright to your Arms.
1799 Instr. & Regulations Cavalry (ed. 3) 356 They form to the reserve, returning their pistols and sloping their swords.
1833 Regulations Instr. Cavalry i. 84 Young horses must be gradually accustomed..to drawing and returning swords.
1847 Infantry Man. (1854) 40 After returning ramrods, the whole remain steady.
1901 A. H. Lewis Richard Croker xiii. 215 The whole dread story would be finished unless..he interrupted its recital with a promise... He promised. Scannell returned his pistol.
1988 O. D. Swartz Service Etiquette (ed. 4) viii. xxvi. 343 The head usher gives the command ‘Officers, return (swords brought to the position of “present arms”) swords.’
2006 L. Guzmán & R. Guzmán Lorenzo & Turncoat xxxix. 181 Calderón ordered, ‘Return swords.’ Blades hissed as the men put them back in their sheaths.
b. transitive. To put back in (also into), or to restore to, a receptacle.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > place > placing or fact of being placed in (a) position > insertion or putting in > insert or put in [verb (transitive)] > again
return1611
reinsert1629
reimmit1682
1611 Bible (King James) Gen. xliii. 18 Because of the money that was returned in our sackes at the first time are we brought in. View more context for this quotation
1760 L. Sterne Life Tristram Shandy II. xvii. 106 Trim wiped his face, and returning his handkerchief into his pocket,..he began again.
1763 J. Mills New Syst. Pract. Husbandry IV. 404 The mould which is to be returned into them should also be mixed with..wood-ashes.
1821 Ld. Byron Sardanapalus ii. i. 55 Arbaces and Salemenes return their swords to the scabbards.
1875 A. R. Pennington Life & Char. Erasmus iv. 74 They..did not return their swords to their scabbards till he had knocked at the door of a neighbouring house, and had been admitted inside it.
1922 E. Dyson Tommy the Hawker & Snifter his Boy xii. 114 Tommy returned his pistol to his belt.
1960 J. Gunn & N. Young Humpy in Hills vi. 96 He bound up the file and was about to return it to his drawer when he changed his mind.
2006 J. Silverthorne Secret of Stone House ii. 30 She picked each one up, rubbed it and returned it into the embroidered bag.
Phrases
P1. to return fire and variants: to retaliate by shooting or firing back. Also figurative.Cf. quots. a1632, 1696 at sense 15b.
ΚΠ
1690 Jrnl. Late Motions & Actions of Confederate Forces 23 We sent a Lieutenant of Horse with Thirty men to Fire on them, which he did, but they stirred not, neither returned their Fire.
1726 Dublin Weekly Jrnl. 18 June 247/2 Up starts an Highwayman, and demands the Gentleman's Money, and Fired but miss'd him, the Gentleman returning Fire shot him dead.
1784 Edinb. Advertiser 28 May 338/2 On Mr. C's firing a second time, the ball struck, and broke the cock of his antagonist's pistol, which he held in his hand ready to return the fire.
1853 Cruise Challenger Life-boat 6 We encountered more vile and obscene language on that canal, than during the whole voyage... John Cash, however, proved himself a proficient, and returned fire with great effect.
1894 Amer. Hist. Reg. Oct. 122 The fleet was attacked, but returned fire so valiantly that the Confederates were obliged to fall back.
1940 Times 27 Feb. 7 A German Heinkel aeroplane returned fire when it was pursued by a Netherlands fighter aeroplane above Dutch territory.
1991 G. F. Paules Dishing it Out v. 126 A waitress who returns fire on an angry customer jeopardizes the dollar or two she might have made if she had suppressed her anger.
2008 Age (Melbourne) (Nexis) 20 Sept. 4 Its soldiers had returned fire in self defence after being shot at from several points.
P2. to return to nature: to abandon artistic models in favour of direct observation; to go to the natural world for inspiration or strength rather than to human creations or society; to abandon sophistication or an urban life in favour of rustic simplicity. Cf. return to nature n. at return n. Phrases 4.
ΚΠ
1775 tr. S. Gessner in Crit. Rev. Oct. 297 Thus passing from various imitations to continual reflections, and then returning to nature, I found at last that my efforts became less laborious. The principal masses and forms lay'd themselves open to my sight.
1830 J. Romney Mem. Life & Wks. G. Romney iii. 195 Though it was the fashion..for ladies to wear high head dresses, and stiff long-waisted stays.., whenever he had an opportunity, and the style and disposition of the drapery were left to his own taste, he rid himself of those ungraceful incumbrances, and returned to nature and truth.
1851 Photographic Art Jrnl. Apr. 242/2 He [sc. John J. Audubon] sought for patronage in Philadelphia, and failing there went to New York..; but weary and depressed,..he returned to nature for refreshing, and..to seek the wildest solitudes of the pathless and gloomy forest.
1896 Contemp. Rev. Jan. 463/1 The poet of antiquity who most consciously ‘returned to Nature’ to comfort his sad heart with her healing sights was..the Rome-born Tibullus.
1902 G. 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.
1994 S. Butala Perfection of Morning i. 10 By the time I was twenty I had developed contempt for those who wanted to return to Nature, believing they were all romantic dreamers, nitwits from the city, people raised in the lap of luxury who..had never done a real day's work in their lives.
2005 H. Eaton Introducing Ecofeminist Theol. ii. 46 People who live simply or choose it voluntarily are said to have ‘returned to nature’ or live ‘close to nature’.
Compounds
return-to-zero adj. Electronics designating a binary signal which returns to 0 following each bit, regardless of whether the following bit is 0 or 1; relating to or involving such signals; opposed to non-return-to-zero adj. at non- prefix 4b.A return-to-zero signal acts as its own clocking signal. As half the signal time is spent at zero, a return-to-zero signal can only store half as much data as a non-return-to-zero signal.
ΚΠ
1951 A. A. Cohen et al. U.S. Patent 2,540,654 4 Even if a series of 1's occurs, the flux shifts back to the M, or 0, level at the end of each cell period. Hence, this system may be termed a ‘return-to-zero’ type of pattern.
1984 J. Dunlop & D. G. Smith Telecommunications Engin. iii. 89 Convert the full width non-return-to-zero (NRZ) pulses into half-width return-to-zero pulses (RZ).
2008 Optics Communications 281 5811/1 RZ (return-to-zero) modulation formats offer certain advantages over NRZ, as they tend to be more robust against distortions.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2010; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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