répondit

répondit is a French verb meaning "replied" or "answered." It is the third-person singular past historic tense of the verb répondre. This tense is typically used in formal writing, such as literature and historical accounts, to describe actions that occurred and were completed in the past.

In everyday spoken French, the compound past tense, or passé composé, is more commonly used to express past actions. Thus, one would generally say "il a répondu" (he replied/answered) instead of "il répondit." However, the past historic remains a staple in narrative storytelling and historical texts, lending a more formal and literary tone.

The verb répondre itself is a common and essential verb in the French language. It can be used in various contexts, from simple exchanges of information to more complex dialogues. The past historic form, répondit, specifically conveys a sense of recounting past events.

Examples of its use might include phrases like "Le roi répondit d'un ton grave" (The king replied in a serious tone) or "Elle répondit à la question sans hésiter" (She answered the question without hesitation). While less frequent in contemporary conversation, understanding répondit is crucial for comprehending French literature and historical documents.