Meaning of reciprocal in English

Classifying Adjective
reciprocal
Definitions
1. of or relating to or suggestive of complementation
Examples
- « interchangeable electric outlets »
Synonyms
- reciprocal
- mutual
2. of or relating to the multiplicative inverse of a quantity or function
Examples
- « the reciprocal ratio of a:b is b:a »
Synonyms
- inverse
Noun
reciprocal
Definitions
1. something (a term or expression or concept) that has a reciprocal relation to something else
Examples
- « risk is the reciprocal of safety »
2. (mathematics) one of a pair of numbers whose product is 1: the reciprocal of 2/3 is 3/2
Examples
- « the multiplicative inverse of 7 is 1/7 »
3. hybridization involving a pair of crosses that reverse the sexes associated with each genotype
Qualitative Adjective
reciprocal
Etymology
late 16th century: from Latin reciprocus (based on re-‘back’ + pro-‘forward’) + -al
Definitions
1. concerning each of two or more persons or things
Examples
- « especially given or done in return »
- « reciprocal aid »
- « reciprocal trade »
- « mutual respect »
- « reciprocal privileges at other clubs »
Synonyms
Antonyms
- nonreciprocal

Pronunciation