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reprisal

 - 5 dictionary results

re⋅pris⋅al

  [ri-prahy-zuhl]
Use reprisal in a Sentence
–noun
1. (in warfare) retaliation against an enemy, for injuries received, by the infliction of equal or greater injuries.
2. an act or instance of retaliation.
3. the action or practice of using force, short of war, against another nation, to secure redress of a grievance.
4. the forcible seizure of property or subjects in retaliation.
Origin:
1400–50; late ME reprisail < OF reprisaille. See reprise, -al 2

Synonyms:
1. redress. See revenge.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To reprisal
re·pri·sal   (rĭ-prī'zəl)   
n.  

  1. Retaliation for an injury with the intent of inflicting at least as much injury in return.

  2. Forcible seizure of an enemy's goods or subjects in retaliation for injuries inflicted.

  3. The practice of using political or military force without actually resorting to war.


[Middle English reprisail, from Old French reprisaille, from Old Italian ripresaglia, from ripreso, past participle of riprendere, to take back, from Latin reprehendere, reprēndere, to take hold of; see reprehend.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Cultural Dictionary

reprisal

An act by which a nation seeks, short of war, to redress a wrong committed against it by another nation. Boycotts and blockades are common forms of reprisal.

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

reprisal 
1419, "seizing property or citizens of another nation in retaliation for loss inflicted on one's own," from Anglo-Fr. reprisaille (1352), from O.Fr. reprisaille, from early It. ripresaglia, from ripreso, pp. of riprendere "take back," from L. reprendere, earlier reprehendere (see reprehend). General sense of "retaliation" is from 1710.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: re·pri·sal
Pronunciation: ri-'prI-z&l
Function: noun
Etymology: Anglo-French reprisaile reprisaille, from Middle French, from Old Italian ripresaglia, from ripreso, past participle of riprendere to take back, from ri- back + prendere to take, from Latin prehendere
1 a : the act or practice in international law of resorting to force short of war in retaliation for damage or loss suffered b : an instance of such action
2 : a retaliatory act reprisal>
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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