reciprocal Hear it!

reciprocal Definition

re·cip·ro·cal (ri sip′rə kəl)

adjective

  1. done, felt, given, etc. in return hoping for a reciprocal favor
  2. present or existing on both sides; each to the other; mutual to feel a reciprocal affection
  3. corresponding but reversed or inverted
  4. equivalent or interchangeable; corresponding or complementary
  5. Gram. expressing mutual action or relation “each other” is traditionally called a reciprocal pronoun
  6. Math. of the reciprocals of quantities, or their relations

Etymology: < L reciprocus, returning, reciprocal < *reco-prokos, backwards and forwards < *recos (< re-, back + *cos < ?) + IE *proko-, ahead (> Gr proka, forthwith) < base *pro-, forward, ahead + -al

noun

  1. anything that has a reciprocal action on or relation to another; complement, counterpart, equivalent, etc.
  2. Math. the quantity resulting from the division of 1 by the given quantity; quantity which multiplied by the given quantity equals 1 (Ex.: the reciprocal of 7 is , of is 7)

reciprocal Related Forms
re·cip′·ro·cal′·ity (-kal′ə tē) noun re·cip′·ro·cally adverb
reciprocal Synonyms

reciprocal

modif.

mutual, complementary, two-sided, correlative; see exchangeable, mutual 1. See syn. study at mutual.

reciprocal Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • time: The reciprocal of the reaction time, 1/time, can also be used as a measure of the speed of a reaction.
  • variance: The input pixel footprint was set to and the pixel weights were taken from the reciprocals of the variances.
  • conductivity: In the case of electrical conductivity, the data are input and output as resistivity ( reciprocal of conductivity ).
  • fraction: This is the reciprocal of the fraction let through and is usually given in decibels.
  • period: The maximum wait for starting such a transfer seems to be the reciprocal of the difference of the reciprocals of the periods.

Converse of object

  • add: You add the reciprocals: Capacitors can pass alternating current ( AC ) signals while blocking direct current ( DC ) signals.

Modifies a noun

  • altruism: Koreans, like many Asians, believe in reciprocal altruism.
  • lattice: The set of all K vectors defines the reciprocal lattice.
  • translocation: I had what was known as a balanced reciprocal translocation, involving chromosomes 8 and 12.
  • arrangement: A reciprocal arrangement has never been tested by the United Free Church of Scotland.
  • agreement: There is no reciprocal medical agreement with the UK.
  • link: In your email please put Re: Reciprocal links in the subject header.

Modifying Another Word

  • fully: The link should be considered as a partnership which is long term, fully reciprocal and embedded in the curriculum.
  • not: Check whether or not reciprocal links at other sites exist?
  • truly: LOPP aims to establish a truly reciprocal relationship between the regulators and the regulated.
  • necessarily: This exchange is slightly different from the others in that it is not necessarily reciprocal.

Used with adjective complement

  • do: Don't worry, there are lots and lots of relevant sites to do reciprocal linking with.
  • allow: At each stage the chairman has discretion to allow reciprocal questioning by the various parties.
  • make: In fact, many sites make reciprocal linking a requirement before they will accept a link from your own site.
  • support: We support reciprocal linking of sites with related topics only.