¹reciprocal

adjective re·cip·ro·cal \ri-ˈsi-prə-kəl\

—used to describe a relationship in which two people or groups agree to do something similar for each other, to allow each other to have the same rights, etc.

Full Definition of RECIPROCAL

a : inversely related : opposite

b : 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

: shared, felt, or shown by both sides

: serving to reciprocate : consisting of or functioning as a return in kind <the reciprocal devastation of nuclear war>

a : mutually corresponding <agreed to extend reciprocal privileges to each other's citizens>

b : marked by or based on reciprocity <reciprocal trade agreements>

— re·cip·ro·cal·ly \-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

See reciprocal defined for English-language learners

See reciprocal defined for kids

Origin of RECIPROCAL

Latin reciprocus returning the same way, alternating

First Known Use: 1570

Related to RECIPROCAL

Synonyms: correlative, complementary, supplemental, supplementary

Antonyms: noncomplementary, nonreciprocal

²reciprocal

noun

Definition of RECIPROCAL

: something in a reciprocal relationship to another

: either of a pair of numbers (as ²⁄₃ and ³⁄₂ or 9 and ¹⁄₉) whose product is one; broadly : multiplicative inverse

First Known Use of RECIPROCAL

1570

RECIPROCAL Defined for Kids

reciprocal

noun re·cip·ro·cal \ri-ˈsi-prə-kəl\

Definition of RECIPROCAL for Kids

: one of a pair of numbers (as 9 and ¹⁄₉, ²⁄₃ and ³⁄₂) whose product is one

Medical Dictionary

reciprocal

adjective re·cip·ro·cal \ri-ˈsip-rə-kəl\

Medical Definition of RECIPROCAL

: inversely related

: 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

: shared, felt, or shown by both sides