עני, עָנָה I (b. h.) [to turn, come out in turn,] to begin to speak; to respond; to speak or sing in chorus; to answer. Tem. 16ᵃ ע̇תנ̇יא̇ל̇ שעֲנָאו̇ א̇ל̇ he was surnamed Othniel, because God answered his prayer (ref. to I Chr. IV, 10). Y. Sot. V, 20ᶜ top והן עוֹנִין אחריו על כל דבר ודבר and they (the class) repeat each sentence after him; משה … והן עונין אחריו אשירה Moses said, I will sing &c., and they repeated in chorus, I will sing &c. Ib. משה אמר עזי והן עונין וכ׳ Moses said, My strength &c., and they responded, I will sing &c. Tosef. ib. VI, 2 ועונין על כל עינין ועינין and they (the class) repeat each sentence. Ib. 3 ועונין אחריו עינין ראשון and they (the people) always repeated the first sentence (as refrain). Succ. 38ᵇ מצוה לַעֲנוֹת הללויה it is proper to say in response Halleluiah. M. Kat. III, 9 כולן עוֹנוֹת כאחת all start the dirge at once; אחת מדברת וכולן עונות אחריה one speaks, and all repeat in chorus after her, v. עִינּוּי I. Ber. 47ᵃ עד שיכלה אמן מפי העוֹנִים until the Amen of the responding company is finished. Pes. 36ᵃ לחם שעונין וכ׳, v. עוֹנִי. Y. Succ. III, 54ᵃ top אם בירכך גוי עֲנֵה אחריו אמן if a gentile blesses thee, say after him Amen; a. fr.
Nif. - נַעֲנֶה 1) to be answered, to have one’s prayer granted. Sabb. 30ᵃ וכשאמר זכור … מיד נ׳ but when he said, Remember &c. (Ex. XXXII, 13), his prayer was at once granted. R. Hash. 18ᵃ זה התפלל ונ׳ וכ׳ one prays and is heard, another prays and is not heard; Koh. R. to IX, 11, v. פָּגַע. Gen. R. s. 60 [read:] שלשה הם שנַעֲנוּ במענה פיהם three persons (mentioned in the Scriptures) were answered as soon as they had uttered their prayer; Yalk. ib. 108; a. fr. —2) to be called upon to speak; to answer, to deliver an opinion. Kidd. 40ᵇ נ׳ ר"ט ואמר וכ׳ R. Ṭ. (being asked his opinion) answered saying &c.; נַעֲנוּ כולם ואמרו וכ׳ all of them in turn answered saying &c.; Sifré Deut. 41; M. Kat. 28ᵇ (at a mourner’s house); a. fr. —3) [to be made to respond Amen,] to be sworn; to promise allegiance. Y. Dem. II, 23ᵃ top הוא נ׳ לחבורה … נַעֲנִין לו he (the head of the house) promises allegiance to the order (v. חֲבֵרוּת), and the members of his house make the promise to him.