responsion
noun
re·spon·sion
-nchən
plural -s
1
obsolete : a sum required to be paid
especially : an annual payment required of a member of a military order of knighthood
2
a
: an act of answering : answer, response
b
responsions plural : the first examination taken by a candidate for the B.A. degree at Oxford University and required for matriculation
called also smalls
compare previous examination
Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Middle French or Medieval Latin; Middle French responsion answer, sum to be paid, from Medieval Latin responsion-, responsio, from Latin, answer, from responsus (past participle of respondēre to answer) + -ion-, -io -ion
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1