Reciprocal

Pronunciation

• IPA: /rɪˈsɪprÉ™k(É™)l/

Origin

From Latin reciprocus.

Full definition of reciprocal

Adjective

1. Of a feeling, action or such: mutual, uniformly felt or done by each party towards the other or others; two-way.reciprocal love; reciprocal duties
• ShakespeareLet our reciprocal vows be remembered.
2. Mutually interchangeable.
• I. WattsThese two rules will render a definition reciprocal with the thing defined.
3. (grammar) Reflexive; applied to pronouns and verbs, but sometimes limited to pronouns that express mutual action.
4. (math) Used to denote different kinds of mutual relation; often with reference to the substitution of reciprocals for given quantities.
5. contrary or opposite

Synonyms

• mutual, two-way
• contrary, opposite, converse, inverse, inverted, cross

Related terms

• reciprocity

Noun

1. (arithmetic) Of a number, the number obtained by dividing 1 by the given number; the result of exchanging the numerator and the denominator of a fraction.0.5 is the reciprocal of 2.

Synonyms

• (in arithmetic) multiplicative inverse