Library / English Dictionary

RECIPROCATE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Alternate the direction of motion of

Example:

the engine reciprocates the propeller

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Hypernyms (to "reciprocate" is one way to...):

move (move so as to change position, perform a nontranslational motion)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Derivation:

reciprocation (alternating back-and-forth movement)

reciprocative; reciprocatory (moving alternately backward and forward)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Act, feel, or give mutually or in return

Example:

We always invite the neighbors and they never reciprocate!

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Hypernyms (to "reciprocate" is one way to...):

act; move (perform an action, or work out or perform (an action))

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "reciprocate"):

return (return in kind)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Derivation:

reciprocation (mutual interaction; the activity of reciprocating or exchanging (especially information))

reciprocation (the act of making or doing something in return)

reciprocative (moving alternately backward and forward)

reciprocative; reciprocatory (given or done or owed to each other)

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