reciprocal

[ ri-sip-ruh-kuhl ]

adjective

1. given or felt by each toward the other; mutual:

   reciprocal respect.

2. given, performed, felt, etc., in return:

   reciprocal aid.

3. matching; corresponding; equivalent:

   reciprocal privileges at other health clubs.

4. Grammar. (of a pronoun or verb) expressing mutual relationship or action:

   “Each other” and “one another” are reciprocal pronouns.

5. inversely corresponding; opposing:

   reciprocal muscles in your back.

6. Mathematics. noting expressions, relations, etc., involving reciprocals:

   a reciprocal function.

7. Navigation. bearing in a direction 180° to a given direction; back.

noun

1. something that is reciprocal to something else:

   Faith and fear are reciprocals.

2. Also called multiplicative inverse. Mathematics. the ratio of unity to a given quantity or expression; that by which the given quantity or expression is multiplied to produce unity:

   The reciprocal of x is 1/x.

reciprocal

/ rɪˈsɪprəkəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or designating something given by each of two people, countries, etc, to the other; mutual

   reciprocal trade

   reciprocal friendship

2. given or done in return

   a reciprocal favour

3. (of a pronoun) indicating that action is given and received by each subject; for example, each other in the sentence they started to shout at each other
4. maths of or relating to a number or quantity divided into one
5. nautical denoting a course or bearing that is 180° from the previous or assumed one

noun

1. something that is reciprocal
2. Also calledinverse maths a number or quantity that when multiplied by a given number or quantity gives a product of one

   the reciprocal of 2 is 0.5

reciprocal

/ rĭ-sĭp′rə-kəl /

1. Either of a pair of numbers whose product is 1. For example, the number 3 is the reciprocal of 1 3 .

reciprocal

1. The number by which a given number must be multiplied to get a result of one. The reciprocal of one-half, for example, is two.

Derived Forms

• reˈciprocally, adverb
• reˌciproˈcality, noun

Other Words From

• re·cip·ro·cal·i·ty [ri-sip-r, uh, -, kal, -i-tee], re·cip·ro·cal·ness noun
• re·cip·ro·cal·ly adverb
• non·re·cip·ro·cal adjective noun
• un·re·cip·ro·cal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of reciprocal¹

First recorded in 1560–70; from Latin reciproc(us) “returning, reciprocal” + -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of reciprocal¹

C16: from Latin reciprocus alternating

Synonym Study

See mutual.

Example Sentences

“There’s a reciprocal relationship,” said Cabe, who holds a degree in forest management and is working with the Forest Service to restore culturally significant plans on the tribe’s land.

From Salon

A study of nonviolent action by Dalilah Shemia-Goeke finds that multinational corporations are deeply entangled with states in reciprocal relationships of dependence.

From Salon

“There’s been a kind of reciprocal radicalization as the far right — these neo-Nazi scumbags — become more prominent,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

Oscar, 11, said he enjoyed reciprocal reading, where pupils take different roles in a group to build their comprehension.

From BBC

“In the end, we were not able to reach an understanding that addressed our top priorities,” she said, noting that the relationship should be reciprocal.

From BBC

Related Words

• complementary
• mutual