spond
Latinto pledge, promise solemnly, answer for
About This Root
From Latin spondēre / spōnsus, 'to pledge or promise solemnly.' In English the core sense shifts from pledging to answering — respond literally means 'to pledge back,' i.e. to answer. Prefixes set the direction: answering back (respond), answering together / matching (correspond), or losing one's pledge and hope (despondent).
Associated Words · 9
respond
To say something in reply; to react to a situation or stimulus
responsibility
the duty to manage or answer for something
respondent
A person who replies to a survey or is a defendant in a legal case
correspondent
A journalist reporting from afar; a person who exchanges letters
correspond
To be similar or equivalent to something; to exchange letters regularly
correspondence
Communication by letters; similarity or agreement between things
responsiveness
The quality of reacting quickly and positively
despondent
In low spirits from loss of hope; deeply discouraged
corresponding
Similar in position or function; matching or equivalent