reciprocate

English

Etymology

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

• IPA^(key): /ɹɪˈsɪpɹəˌkeɪt/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Hyphenation: re‧ci‧pro‧cate

Verb

reciprocate (third-person singular simple present reciprocates, present participle reciprocating, simple past and past participle reciprocated)

1. (transitive) To exchange two things, with both parties giving one thing and taking another thing.
2. (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!

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

   A reciprocating engine.

   • 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.

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

Derived terms

• reciprocating (adj)

Related terms

Translations

Italian

Etymology 1

Verb

reciprocate

1. inflection of reciprocare:
   1. second-person plural present indicative
   2. second-person plural imperative

Etymology 2

Participle

reciprocate f pl

1. feminine plural of reciprocato

Spanish

Verb

reciprocate

1. second-person singular voseo imperative of reciprocar combined with te