Response (rspns), n.
Etymology: [OF. response, respons, F. réponse, from L. responsum, from respondere. See Respond.]
1. The act of responding.
2. An answer or reply. Specifically: (a) Reply to an objection in formal disputation. I. Watts. (b) (Eccl.) The answer of the people or congregation to the priest or clergyman, in the litany and other parts of divine service. (c) (R.C.Ch.) A kind of anthem sung after the lessons of matins and some other parts of the office. (d) (Mus.) A repetition of the given subject in a fugue by another part on the fifth above or fourth below. Busby.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for response; he lists it under answer.
Where he writes about it:
A rejoinder is strictly an answer to a reply, tho often used in the general sense of answer, but always with the implication of something more or less controversial or opposed, tho lacking the conclusiveness implied in answer; an answer, in the full sense, to a charge, an argument, or an objection is adequate, and finally refutes and disposes of it; a reply or rejoinder may be quite inadequate, so that one may say, "This reply is not an answer;" "I am ready with an answer" means far more than "I am ready with a reply." A response is accordant or harmonious, designed or adapted to carry on the thought of the words that called it forth, as the responses in a liturgical service, or to meet the wish of him who seeks it; as, the appeal for aid met a prompt and hearty response. — from answer