Definition of Reciprocate

1. Verb. Act, feel, or give mutually or in return. "We always invite the neighbors and they never reciprocate!"

Specialized synonyms: Return
Generic synonyms: Act, Move
Derivative terms: Reciprocation, Reciprocation, Reciprocative, Reciprocative, Reciprocatory

2. Verb. Alternate the direction of motion of. "The engine reciprocates the propeller"
Generic synonyms: Move
Derivative terms: Reciprocation, Reciprocative, Reciprocatory

Definition of Reciprocate

1. v. i. To move forward and backward alternately; to recur in vicissitude; to act interchangeably; to alternate.

2. v. t. To give and return mutually; to make return for; to give in return; to interchange; to alternate; as, to reciprocate favors.

Definition of Reciprocate

1. Verb. (transitive) To mutually give and take something; to interchange. ¹

2. Verb. (transitive) To give something in response. ¹

3. Verb. (intransitive) To move backwards and forwards, like a piston. ¹

4. Verb. (intransitive) To counter, retort or retaliate. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Reciprocate

1. [v -CATED, -CATING, -CATES]

Medical Definition of Reciprocate

1. To move forward and backward alternately; to recur in vicissitude; to act interchangeably; to alternate. "One brawny smith the puffing bellows plies, And draws and blows reciprocating air." (Dryden) Reciprocating engine, a steam, air, or gas engine, etc, in which the piston moves back and forth; in distinction from a rotary engine, in which the piston travels continuously in one direction in a circular path. Reciprocating motion, motion alternately backward and forward, or up and down, as of a piston rod. Origin: L. Reciprocatus, p. P. Of reciprocare. See Reciprocal. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Reciprocate

reciprocal forces
reciprocal inhibition
reciprocal innervation
reciprocal ohm
reciprocal pronoun
reciprocal pronouns
reciprocal rhythm
reciprocal transfusion
reciprocal translocation
reciprocal treanslocation
reciprocalities
reciprocality
reciprocally
reciprocalness
reciprocals
reciprocate (current term)
reciprocated
reciprocates
reciprocating
reciprocating engine
reciprocating engines
reciprocating rhythm
reciprocating saw
reciprocation
reciprocations
reciprocative
reciprocatively
reciprocator
reciprocators
reciprocatory

Literary usage of Reciprocate

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Pennsylvania Archives by Samuel Hazard, John Blair Linn, William Henry Egle, Pennsylvania Dept. of Public Instruction, George Edward Reed, Pennsylvania State Library, Thomas Lynch Montgomery, Gertrude MacKinney, Charles Francis Hoban (1877)
"... India Company to enjoy and possess the aforesaid limits in peace and quietness, which We shall freely reciprocate towards them on suitable occasions. ..."

2. United States Compiled Statutes, Annotated, 1916: Embracing the Statutes of by United States, John Allan Mallory (1917)
"... which may reciprocate such privilege toward the vessels of war of the United States in its ports." An amendment thereof, consisting of the insertion, ..."

3. Journal by Indiana General Assembly. Senate, Indiana, General Assembly, United States Congress Senate (1837)
"... and that the Senate be requested to reciprocate this resolution, and that seats be provided for them at the right of the Speaker's chair. ..."

4. The Works of James Harris, Esq. by James Harris (1841)
"ACTION, ITS FIVE SPECIES—THOSE OF PASSION reciprocate MIND DIVINE, HUMAN LATTER, HOW ACTED UPON POLITICS, ECONOMICS, ETHICS. PASSIVITY IN BODIES ANIMATE AND ..."

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