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reciprocate Definition

re·cip·ro·cate (-kāt′)

transitive verb -·cat′ed, -·cat′·ing

    1. to give and get, do, feel, etc. reciprocally; interchange
    2. to give, do, feel, etc. in return; return in kind or degree
  2. to cause to move alternately back and forth

Etymology: < L reciprocatus, pp. of reciprocare < reciprocus: see reciprocal

intransitive verb

  1. to make some sort of return for something done, given, etc.
  2. to move alternately back and forth; interchange position
  3. Archaic to be correspondent or equivalent

reciprocate Related Forms
re·cip′·ro·ca′·tion noun re·cip′·ro·ca′·tive adjective or re·cip′·ro·ca·to′ry-kə tôr′ē re·cip′·ro·ca′·tor noun
reciprocate Synonyms

reciprocate

v.

  1. To respond in kind

    return, retaliate, repay, requite; see answer 3, react 1, revenge.

  2. To exchange

    interchange, alternate, give and take; see alternate 1, exchange 2.

reciprocate Usage Examples

Object

  • compressor: Thus there would be a yearly energy saving of around £ 140,000 with reciprocating compressors.
  • saw: A steam powered 19th century reciprocating saw demonstrated by Jo Lawley of Shropshire.
  • motion: The eccentric is used to convert the rotary motion of the crank axle into the reciprocating motion required to operate the valve.
  • pump: This flywheel merely served to maintain smooth rotary motion; the engine actually actuated a pair of reciprocating ram pumps.
  • engine: The original reciprocating engines were replaced by steam turbines in 1922.
  • machinery: The course will commence by examining the dynamic forces and moments associated with rotating and reciprocating machinery.

Subject

  • other: Disclosure is the name of the game; emotional equilibrium being reached when everybody's contribution is reciprocated by all others.

Modifying Another Word

  • fully: He frequently came in contact with his employer and entertained for him strong friendship and deep respect, which was fully reciprocated by Tunstall.
  • always: Sadly, those efforts were not always reciprocated by sections of those communities.
  • not: Then how do you expect Brazil to not reciprocate the favor on the US imposed fee?
  • then: The children in the host school then reciprocate the same.
  • n't: And despite my feelings for you all those years ago, you wo n't reciprocate, so where to?
  • never: She smiles at her secretary; she never reciprocates a greeting or farewell verbally except with clients.

Used with why or when

  • when: Entertainment in the widest sense is provided by the hosts and the whole process is reciprocated when the visit is the other way.
  • what: Holiness is demanded by a holy God, He wants us to reciprocate what 's in His nature.

Preposition: in

  • way: Here he presses her a little for information, to which she reciprocates in the only way she knows how to.
  • kind: She's sweet to Hugh and falls in love with Butcher, and they reciprocate in kind.

Preposition: with

  • link: Our site can only reciprocate with a text link.

Preposition: by

  • other: Disclosure is the name of the game; emotional equilibrium being reached when everybody's contribution is reciprocated by all others.