entgegnetet

Entgegnetet is a conjugated form of the German verb entgegnen, not a standalone lemma. The infinitive entgegnen means to answer, to reply, or to oppose in response to a statement or claim. The form entgegnetet occurs in the Präteritum (simple past) for the second person plural: ihr entgegnetet. In other tenses, the verb is conjugated as: ich entgegne, du entgegnetest, er entgegnete, wir entgegneten, ihr entgegnetet, sie entgegneten; the perfect tense is formed with haben, as in er hat entgegnet.

Etymology and sense

Entgegnen comes from a prefix ent- combined with gegen, literally “against,” and broadened in meaning to include replying to or countering a statement. The modern usage typically centers on responding to a remark, argument, or question, rather than merely opposing something in a physical sense. The nuance can range from a civil answer to a pointed counterargument, depending on context and tone.

Usage notes

- Common constructions include: jemanden entgegnen (to reply to someone) or entgegnen einer Behauptung (to oppose a claim by replying).

- In narrative and formal writing, entgegnen is often used to describe a reply within a dialogue or debate.

- The form entgegnetet is not used as a stand-alone verb form; it is the plural past tense form for “you (plural) replied/retorted.”

Related forms

- Present: ich entgegne, du entgegnetest, er entgegnet, wir entgegnen, ihr entgegnet, sie entgegnen

- Perfect: er hat entgegnet

- Related verbs include entgegensetzen (to oppose or set against) and entgegensetzen to a claim (to counterpose).