n a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation n a statement that solves a problem or explains how to solve the problem n the speech act of replying to a question n the principal pleading by the defendant in response to plaintiff's complaint
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explaining the type.
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used to indicate that a statement explains or supports a previous statement
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r used to indicate that a statement explains or supports a previous statement
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v defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning v acknowledge faults or shortcomings or failing
