reciprocal

[ri-sip-ruh-kuh l] /rɪˈsɪp rə kəl/
adjective
1.
given or felt by each toward the other; mutual:
reciprocal respect.
2.
given, performed, felt, etc., in return:
reciprocal aid.
3.
corresponding; matching; complementary; 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 related or proportional; opposite.
6.
Mathematics. noting expressions, relations, etc., involving reciprocals:
a reciprocal function.
7.
Navigation. bearing in a direction 180° to a given direction; back.
noun
8.
something that is reciprocal to something else; equivalent; counterpart; complement.
9.
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.
Origin
1560-70; < Latin reciproc(us) returning, reciprocal + -al1
Related forms
reciprocality, reciprocalness, noun
reciprocally, adverb
nonreciprocal, adjective, noun
nonreciprocally, adverb
unreciprocal, adjective
unreciprocally, adverb
Can be confused
mutual, reciprocal (see synonym study at mutual)
common, mutual, reciprocal (see usage note at mutual)
Synonym Study
1. See mutual.
Examples from the web for reciprocal
  • Kinkajous form treetop groups and share social interactions such as reciprocal grooming.
  • Link to a site before you request a reciprocal link.
  • Lines represent follow relationships, although not necessarily reciprocal ones.
  • There is a strong reciprocal attraction between the primitive and the civilized.
  • reciprocal altruism and kin selection are the two main theories.
  • Hill has made it clear she felt no reciprocal attraction.
  • When it was agreed that a volunteer's employer would win the reciprocal-labor lottery, she hopped around in excitement.
  • reciprocal teaching is an interactive instructional practice that aims to improve students.
  • reciprocal trade finance enables a firm to buy using its incremental cost of production.
British Dictionary definitions for reciprocal

reciprocal

/rɪˈsɪprəkəl/
adjective
1.
of, relating to, or designating something given by each of two people, countries, etc, to the other; mutual: reciprocal friendship, reciprocal trade
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
6.
something that is reciprocal
7.
(maths) Also called inverse. 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
Derived Forms
reciprocality, noun
reciprocally, adverb
Word Origin
C16: from Latin reciprocus alternating
Word Origin and History for reciprocal
adj.

1560s, with -al (1) + stem of Latin reciprocus "returning the same way, alternating," from pre-Latin *reco-proco-, from *recus (from re- "back;" see re-, + -cus, adjective formation) + *procus (from pro- "forward;" see pro-, + -cus. Related: Reciprocally. The noun meaning "that which is reciprocal" (to another) is from 1560s.

reciprocal in Medicine

reciprocal re·cip·ro·cal (rĭ-sĭp'rə-kəl)
adj.

  1. Of or relating to a neuromuscular phenomenon in which the excitation of one group of muscles is accompanied by the inhibition of another.

  2. Of or being a pair of crosses in which the male parent in one cross is of the same genotype or phenotype as the female parent in the other cross.

reciprocal in Science
reciprocal
  (rĭ-sĭp'rə-kəl)   
Either of a pair of numbers whose product is 1. For example, the number 3 is the reciprocal of 1/3 .
reciprocal in Culture

reciprocal definition


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.