v., -cat·ed, -cat·ing, -cates. v.tr.
- To give or take mutually; interchange.
- To show, feel, or give in response or return.
- To move back and forth alternately.
- To give and take something mutually.
- To make a return for something given or done.
- To be complementary or equivalent.
[Latin reciprocāre, reciprocāt-, to move back and forth, from reciprocus, alternating. See reciprocal.]
reciprocative re·cip'ro·ca'tive adj.reciprocator re·cip'ro·ca'tor n.
SYNONYMS reciprocate, requite, return. These verbs mean to give, take, or feel reciprocally: doesn't reciprocate favors; consideration requited with disregard; return a compliment.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
