reciprocate
English edit
Etymology edit
From Latin recīprocō (“to move back and forth”), possibly from a phrase such as reque proque (“back and forth”), from re- (“back”), prō (“forwards”) and -que (“and”). Compare reciprocal.
Pronunciation edit
Verb edit
reciprocate (third-person singular simple present reciprocates, present participle reciprocating, simple past and past participle reciprocated)
- (transitive) To exchange two things, with both parties giving one thing and taking another thing.
- (transitive) To give something else in response (where the "thing" may also be abstract, a feeling or action) To make a reciprocal gift.
- I gave them apples from my tree; they reciprocated with a pie and some apple jelly.
- 2019, Con Man Games, SmashGames, quoting Nugget, Kindergarten 2, SmashGames:
- Nugget appreciates the generosity! Nugget will reciprocate with a Monstermon card!
- (intransitive) To move backwards and forwards, like a piston.
- 1697, Virgil, “The Fourth Book of the Georgics”, in John Dryden, transl., The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Æneis. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC:
- One brawny smith the puffing bellows plies, / And draws and blows reciprocating air.
- (intransitive) To counter, retort or retaliate.
Derived terms edit
- reciprocating (adj)
Related terms edit
Translations edit
to mutually give and take something; to interchange
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to give something in response
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to move backwards and forwards, like a piston
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Italian edit
Etymology 1 edit
Verb edit
reciprocate
- inflection of reciprocare:
Etymology 2 edit
Participle edit
reciprocate f pl
Spanish edit
Verb edit
reciprocate
- second-person singular voseo imperative of reciprocar combined with te