1. (n.) The answer of an emperor when formally consulted by particular persons on some difficult question; hence, an edict or decree.

2. (n.) The official written answer of the pope upon a question of canon law, or morals.

3. (n.) A counterpart.

acknowledgment amendment answer answering antiphon appointment back answer back talk backchat billet brevet bull business letter chit comeback communication correction declaration decree decree-law decreement decretal decretum dictum diktat dispatch echo edict edictum editing emendation epistle evasive reply favor fiat ipse dixit law letter line message missive note ordinance ordonnance proclamation pronouncement pronunciamento reaction ready reply receipt recension rectification redaction redraft rejoinder repartee replication reply repost rescription respondence response responsion responsory retort return revampment reverberation review revisal revise revised edition revision rewrite rewriting riposte rule ruling senatus consult senatus consultum short answer snappy comeback ukase witty reply witty retort yes-and-no answer