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; < L reciproc(us) returning, reciprocal + -al1]
Interchanged, given, or owed to each other: reciprocal agreements to abolish customs duties; a reciprocal invitation to lunch.
Performed, experienced, or felt by both sides: reciprocal respect.
Interchangeable; complementary: reciprocal electric outlets.
Grammar Expressing mutual action or relationship. Used of some verbs and compound pronouns.
Mathematics Of or relating to the reciprocal of a quantity.
Physiology Of or relating to a neuromuscular phenomenon in which the excitation of one group of muscles is accompanied by the inhibition of another.
Genetics Of or designating a pair of crosses in which the male or female parent in one cross is of the same genotype or phenotype as the complementary female or male parent in the other cross.
n.
Something that is reciprocal to something else.
Mathematics A number related to another in such a way that when multiplied together their product is 1. For example, the reciprocal of 7 is 1/7 ; the reciprocal of 2/3 is 3/2 .
[From Latin reciprocus, alternating; see per1 in Indo-European roots.]
1570, from L. reciprocus "returning the same way, alternating," from pre-L. *reco-proco-, from *recus (from re- "back" + -cus, adjective formation) + *procus (from pro- "forward" + -cus, adjective formation). The verb reciprocate "to return, requite" is recorded from 1820.
concerning each of two or more persons or things; especially given or done in return; "reciprocal aid"; "reciprocal trade"; "mutual respect"; "reciprocal privileges at other clubs" [ant: nonreciprocal]
2.
of or relating to the multiplicative inverse of a quantity or function; "the reciprocal ratio of a:b is b:a"
noun
1.
something (a term or expression or concept) that has a reciprocal relation to something else; "risk is the reciprocal of safety"
2.
(mathematics) one of a pair of numbers whose product is 1: the reciprocal of 2/3 is 3/2; the multiplicative inverse of 7 is 1/7 [syn: multiplicative inverse]
3.
hybridization involving a pair of crosses that reverse the sexes associated with each genotype [syn: reciprocal cross]
reciprocalAudio Help (rĭ-sĭp'rə-kəl) Pronunciation Key
Either of a pair of numbers whose product is 1. For example, the number 3 is the reciprocal of 1/3 .
Main Entry: re·cip·ro·cal Pronunciation: ri-'sip-r&-k&l Function: adjective 1: inversely related 2: of, constituting, or resulting from paired crosses in which the kind that supplies the male parent of the first cross supplies the female parent of the second cross and vice versa 3: shared, felt, or shown by both sides
Main Entry: re·cip·ro·cal Pronunciation: ri-'si-pr&-k&l Function: adjective 1 a:MUTUAL 2b:BILATERAL <a reciprocal
contract> 2: characterized by correspondence or equivalence esp. in return or response with another of the same category <was prevented from obtaining reciprocal
discovery of the names of the State's alibi rebuttal witnesses —Mauricio v. State, 652 North Eastern Reporter, Second Series 869 (1995)>; also: marked by such
correspondence or equivalence between its own components <a reciprocal arrangement> 3: marked by reciprocity between states
—re·cip·ro·cal·lyadverb
In*verse"\, a. [L. inversus, p. p. of invertere: cf. F. inverse. See Invert.]1. Opposite in order, relation, or effect; reversed; inverted; reciprocal; -- opposed to direct. 2. (Bot.) Inverted; having a position or mode of attachment the reverse of that which is usual. 3. (Math.) Opposite in nature and effect; -- said with reference to any two operations, which, when both are performed in succession upon any quantity, reproduce that quantity; as, multiplication is the inverse operation to division. The symbol of an inverse operation is the symbol of the direct operation with -1 as an index. Thus sin-1 x means the arc whose sine is x. Inverse figures (Geom.), two figures, such that each point of either figure is inverse to a corresponding point in the order figure. Inverse points (Geom.), two points lying on a line drawn from the center of a fixed circle or sphere, and so related that the product of their distances from the center of the circle or sphere is equal to the square of the radius. Inverse, or Reciprocal, ratio (Math.), the ratio of the reciprocals of two quantities. Inverse, or Reciprocal, {proportion, an equality between a direct ratio and a reciprocal ratio; thus, 4 : 2 : : 1/3 : 1/6, or 4 : 2 : : 3 : 6, inversely.
In*verse"\, a. [L. inversus, p. p. of invertere: cf. F. inverse. See Invert.]1. Opposite in order, relation, or effect; reversed; inverted; reciprocal; -- opposed to direct. 2. (Bot.) Inverted; having a position or mode of attachment the reverse of that which is usual. 3. (Math.) Opposite in nature and effect; -- said with reference to any two operations, which, when both are performed in succession upon any quantity, reproduce that quantity; as, multiplication is the inverse operation to division. The symbol of an inverse operation is the symbol of the direct operation with -1 as an index. Thus sin-1 x means the arc whose sine is x. Inverse figures (Geom.), two figures, such that each point of either figure is inverse to a corresponding point in the order figure. Inverse points (Geom.), two points lying on a line drawn from the center of a fixed circle or sphere, and so related that the product of their distances from the center of the circle or sphere is equal to the square of the radius. Inverse, or Reciprocal, ratio (Math.), the ratio of the reciprocals of two quantities. Inverse, or Reciprocal, {proportion, an equality between a direct ratio and a reciprocal ratio; thus, 4 : 2 : : 1/3 : 1/6, or 4 : 2 : : 3 : 6, inversely.
Re*cip"ro*cal\, a. [L. reciprocus; of unknown origin.]1. Recurring in vicissitude; alternate. 2. Done by each to the other; interchanging or interchanged; given and received; due from each to each; mutual; as, reciprocal love; reciprocal duties. Let our reciprocal vows be remembered. --Shak. 3. Mutually interchangeable. These two rules will render a definition reciprocal with the thing defined. --I. Watts. 4. (Gram.) Reflexive; -- applied to pronouns and verbs, but sometimes limited to such pronouns as express mutual action. 5. (Math.) Used to denote different kinds of mutual relation; often with reference to the substitution of reciprocals for given quantities. See the Phrases below. Reciprocal equation (Math.), one which remains unchanged in form when the reciprocal of the unknown quantity is substituted for that quantity. Reciprocal figures (Geom.), two figures of the same kind (as triangles, parallelograms, prisms, etc.), so related that two sides of the one form the extremes of a proportion of which the means are the two corresponding sides of the other; in general, two figures so related that the first corresponds in some special way to the second, and the second corresponds in the same way to the first. Reciprocal proportion (Math.), a proportion such that, of four terms taken in order, the first has to the second the same ratio which the fourth has to the third, or the first has to the second the same ratio which the reciprocal of the third has to the reciprocal of the fourth. Thus, 2:5: :20:8 form a reciprocal proportion, because 2:5: :1/20:1/8. Reciprocal quantities (Math.), any two quantities which produce unity when multiplied together. Reciprocal ratio (Math.), the ratio between the reciprocals of two quantities; as, the reciprocal ratio of 4 to 9 is that of 3/4 to 1/9. Reciprocal terms (Logic), those terms which have the same signification, and, consequently, are convertible, and may be used for each other. Syn: Mutual; alternate. Usage: Reciprocal, Mutual. The distinctive idea of mutual is, that the parties unite by interchange in the same act; as, a mutual covenant; mutual affection, etc. The distinctive idea of reciprocal is, that one party acts by way of return or response to something previously done by the other party; as, a reciprocal kindness; reciprocal reproaches, etc. Love is reciprocal when the previous affection of one party has drawn forth the attachment of the other. To make it mutual in the strictest sense, the two parties should have fallen in love at the same time; but as the result is the same, the two words are here used interchangeably. The ebbing and flowing of the tide is a case where the action is reciprocal, but not mutual.
Re*cip"ro*cal\, a. [L. reciprocus; of unknown origin.]1. Recurring in vicissitude; alternate. 2. Done by each to the other; interchanging or interchanged; given and received; due from each to each; mutual; as, reciprocal love; reciprocal duties. Let our reciprocal vows be remembered. --Shak. 3. Mutually interchangeable. These two rules will render a definition reciprocal with the thing defined. --I. Watts. 4. (Gram.) Reflexive; -- applied to pronouns and verbs, but sometimes limited to such pronouns as express mutual action. 5. (Math.) Used to denote different kinds of mutual relation; often with reference to the substitution of reciprocals for given quantities. See the Phrases below. Reciprocal equation (Math.), one which remains unchanged in form when the reciprocal of the unknown quantity is substituted for that quantity. Reciprocal figures (Geom.), two figures of the same kind (as triangles, parallelograms, prisms, etc.), so related that two sides of the one form the extremes of a proportion of which the means are the two corresponding sides of the other; in general, two figures so related that the first corresponds in some special way to the second, and the second corresponds in the same way to the first. Reciprocal proportion (Math.), a proportion such that, of four terms taken in order, the first has to the second the same ratio which the fourth has to the third, or the first has to the second the same ratio which the reciprocal of the third has to the reciprocal of the fourth. Thus, 2:5: :20:8 form a reciprocal proportion, because 2:5: :1/20:1/8. Reciprocal quantities (Math.), any two quantities which produce unity when multiplied together. Reciprocal ratio (Math.), the ratio between the reciprocals of two quantities; as, the reciprocal ratio of 4 to 9 is that of 3/4 to 1/9. Reciprocal terms (Logic), those terms which have the same signification, and, consequently, are convertible, and may be used for each other. Syn: Mutual; alternate. Usage: Reciprocal, Mutual. The distinctive idea of mutual is, that the parties unite by interchange in the same act; as, a mutual covenant; mutual affection, etc. The distinctive idea of reciprocal is, that one party acts by way of return or response to something previously done by the other party; as, a reciprocal kindness; reciprocal reproaches, etc. Love is reciprocal when the previous affection of one party has drawn forth the attachment of the other. To make it mutual in the strictest sense, the two parties should have fallen in love at the same time; but as the result is the same, the two words are here used interchangeably. The ebbing and flowing of the tide is a case where the action is reciprocal, but not mutual.
Re*cip"ro*cal\, n. 1. That which is reciprocal to another thing. Corruption is a reciprocal to generation. --Bacon. 2. (Arith. & Alg.) The quotient arising from dividing unity by any quantity; thus 3/4 is the reciprocal of 4; 1/(a + b) is the reciprocal of a + b. The reciprocal of a fraction is the fraction inverted, or the denominator divided by the numerator.
Re*cip"ro*cate\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Reciprocated; p. pr. & vb. n. Reciprocating.] [L. reciprocatus, p. p. of reciprocare. See Reciprocal.] To move forward and backward alternately; to recur in vicissitude; to act interchangeably; to alternate. One brawny smith the puffing bellows plies, And draws and blows reciprocating air. --Dryden. Reciprocating engine, a steam, air, or gas engine, etc., in which the piston moves back and forth; -- in distinction from a rotary engine, in which the piston travels continuously in one direction in a circular path. Reciprocating motion (Mech.), motion alternately backward and forward, or up and down, as of a piston rod.
Rec`i*proc"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F. r['e]ciprocit['e]. See Reciprocal.]1. Mutual action and reaction. 2. Reciprocal advantages, obligations, or rights; reciprocation. Reciprocity treaty, or Treaty of reciprocity, a treaty concluded between two countries, conferring equal privileges as regards customs or charges on imports, or in other respects. Syn: Reciprocation; interchange; mutuality.
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