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retaliate definition

re·tali·ate (ri tal′ē āt′)

intransitive verb retaliated -·at′ed, retaliating -·at′·ing

to return like for like; esp., to return evil for evil; pay back injury for injury

Etymology: < LL retaliatus, pp. of retaliare, to require, retaliate < L re-, back + talio, punishment in kind, akin to Welsh tāl, compensation

transitive verb

to return an injury, wrong, etc. for (an injury, wrong, etc. given); requite in kind

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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