▪ I. † reˈsponsal, n. Obs.
Also 5–7 responsall(e, 6 Sc. responsaill.
[ad. med.L. responsālis (see next), used as n. in various senses.]
1. A response, reply.
| 1432–50 tr. Higden (Rolls) V. 395 The tenors of whiche letters.., with the responsalles [L. responsis] of Gregory,..were putte in the registre of Gregory. c 1480 Henryson Test. Cres. 127 Ye gave me anis ane devine responsaill That I suld be the flour of luif in Troy. 1609 R. Armin Maids of More-Cl. (1880) 96 T'would allay his hot endeauours with a cold responsall. 1624 F. White Repl. Fisher 241 The determination..is like Apollo his riddles and responsalls. 1652 N. Culverwel Lt. Nature i. xiii. (1661) 109 How cautelous they were in their Oracular Responsals. |
b. A liturgical response or respond.
| a 1652 J. Smith Sel. Disc. iv. 123 The responsals or antiphons wherein each of them catcheth at the other's part. 1688 Answ. Dissenter's Objections to Bk. Common Prayer 11 The Responsals of the Congregation are Matters of Offence to some. 1753 Chambers Cycl. Suppl. s.v. Antiphony, St. Ambrose [calls antiphony] responsoria, or singing by responsals. [1893 J. Christie Acc. Parish Clerks 15 Ability to read the Epistles and Lessons, to sing Responsals, Grails, and other parts of the Service.] |
2. The respondent in a disputation. Also attrib.
| c 1500 in Peacock Stat. Cambridge (1841) App. p. xxxviii, The Responsall shall have a Deske ordeyned for hym byfore the Father. c 1551 Bp. Gardiner Explic. Cath. Faith 130 One was answered at Cambridge when he pressed the responsall, what saye ye to myne argumente. 1574 in Peacock Stat. Cambridge (1841) App. p. xi, A Sophister provided by the Proctour shall knele before the Responsall sett [= seat]. |
3. One appointed by a prelate to give or send replies to questions; an apocrisiary.
| 1570 Foxe A. & M. (ed. 2) 308/2 The Archbyshop receauyng this appellation, and saying that he would aunswere to the same either by him selfe or by his responsall. 1610 Donne Pseudo-martyr 23 He suspended him vntill he might vnderstand from his Responsall with the Emperor, whether that pretended Commandement..were not subreptitious. |
▪ II. † reˈsponsal, a. Obs.
Also 4 -aill.
[ad. late L. responsālis (6th c.), f. responsāre to reply. Cf. OF. responsal, -el.]
1. Answerable, responsible.
| c 1400 Beryn 2623 Such answers vs purvey, þat þey..shull be responsaill For of [sic] wele. 1550 Reg. Privy Council Scot. I. 106 Giff he be nocht responsall for the said sowme, that the Schereff..putt him in the irnis. 1587 Ibid. IV. 192 His complices nawayes being responsall in law to answer for thair deid. 1641 Heylin Hist. Episc. ii. (1657) 442 The Presbyters..in the Countrey villages, should be responsall to the Bishop. 1653 Consid. Dissolving Crt. Chanc. 44 [They] will want that wisdom and estates, which the other have to make them responsal. |
2. Responsive; of the nature of responses.
| 1607 S. Collins Serm. (1608) 25 They should haue beene like an Oracle responsall, without any Philippizing. 1653 R. Loveday Lett. (1663) 45 'Tis but an easie task for your Pen, and will engage mine to be responsal. 1680 Baxter Cath. Commun. (1684) A 2 That the Primitive Churches had some Responsal Forms..I shall recite an evidence out of Chrysostom. 1738 Neal Hist. Purit. IV. 416 The Liturgy to be abbreviated..by omitting all the Responsal prayers. |
3. Correspondent, appropriate. rare—1.
| 1647 Sprigge Anglia Rediv. iii. vi. (1854) 168 Would thou hadst took that leisure time To visit some responsal clime. |