many happy returns (of the day) Definition

return
verb returned, returning

intr
1. To come or go back again to a former place, state or owner.

Example: returned to Glasgow after two weeks
Thesaurus: recur, come back, reappear, repeat, come again; Antonym: move, advance, go forward.
2. To give, send, put back, etc a particular thing in a former position.
intr
3. To come back to in thought or speech.

Example: return to the topic later
4. To repay with something of the same value.

Example: return the compliment
tr & intr
5. To answer or reply.

Thesaurus: answer, reply, respond, retort, counter, come back.
6. To report or state officially or formally.
7. To earn or produce (profit, interest, etc).
8. To elect as a Member of Parliament.

Example: was returned with an increased majority
9. law.
Said of a jury: to deliver (a verdict).
10. tennis.badminton, etc.
To hit back (a ball, etc) served by one's opponent.

noun

1. An act of coming back from a place, state, etc.

Thesaurus: reappearance, homecoming, re-entry, revisit, revisitation; Antonym: departure, disappearance, exit.
2. An act of returning something, especially to its former place, state, ownership, etc.
3. Something returned, especially unsold newspapers and magazines returned to the publisher, or a theatre ticket returned to the theatre for resale.
4. Profit from work, a business or investment.

Thesaurus: proceeds, profit, income, results, gain, revenue, yield; Antonym: loss, expense, payment.
5. A statement of someone's income and allowances, used for calculating the tax which must be paid.

Example: tax returns
Form: returns (often)
6. A statement of the votes polled in an election.

Form: returns (usually)
(Brit)
7. A return ticket.

Example: a day return to Edinburgh
8. An answer or reply.
9a. A ball, etc hit back after one's opponent's service in tennis, badminton, etc;
9b. Forming, causing or relating to a return.
10a. A key on a computer or typewriter keyboard that takes the operator from the end of one line to the beginning of the line below;

Form: return key (in full)
10b. A key on a computer keyboard used for various functions including the loading of software.

Example: Type ‘install' and press ‘Return'
Form: return key (in full)

Derivative: returnable
adj

Idiom: by return of post

By the next post in the return direction, ie immediately or as soon as possible.

Idiom: in return

In exchange; in reply; as compensation.

Idiom: many happy returns (of the day)

An expression of good wishes on someone's birthday.

Etymology: 14c: from French retorner, from Latin tornare to turn.