reciprocate
[ ri-sip-ruh-keyt ]
verb (used with object),re·cip·ro·cat·ed, re·cip·ro·cat·ing.
to give, feel, etc., in return.
to give and receive reciprocally; interchange: to reciprocate favors.
to cause to move alternately backward and forward.
verb (used without object),re·cip·ro·cat·ed, re·cip·ro·cat·ing.
to make a return, as for something given.
to make interchange.
to be correspondent.
to move alternately backward and forward.
Origin of reciprocate
1First recorded in 1605–15; from Latin reciprocātus, past participle of reciprocāre “to move back and forth”; see -ate1
Other words for reciprocate
Other words from reciprocate
- re·cip·ro·ca·tive, re·cip·ro·ca·to·ry [ri-sip-ruh-kuh-tawr-ee], /rɪˈsɪp rə kəˌtɔr i/, adjective
- re·cip·ro·ca·tor, noun
- non·re·cip·ro·cat·ing, adjective
- un·re·cip·ro·cat·ing, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
British Dictionary definitions for reciprocate
reciprocate
/ (rɪˈsɪprəˌkeɪt) /
verb
to give or feel in return
to move or cause to move backwards and forwards
(intr) to be correspondent or equivalent
Origin of reciprocate
1C17: from Latin reciprocāre, from reciprocus reciprocal
Derived forms of reciprocate
- reciprocation, noun
- reciprocative or reciprocatory, adjective
- reciprocator, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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