Frequently used to reflect an answer filed with the court by a party responding an opposing party’s motion or petition. In its general sense, a reply is what the plaintiff, petitioner, or other person who has instituted a proceeding says In answer to the defendant’s case. Sweet. On trial or argnment. When a case is tried or argued in court, the speech or argument of the plaintiff in answer to that of the defendant is called his “reply.” Under the practice of the chancery and common law courts, to reply is to file or deliver a replication, (q. v.) Under codes of reformed procedure, “reply” is very generally the name of the pleading which corresponds to “replication” in common law or equity practice.