Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Reciprocal
Re-cip′ro-cal
(rē̍-sĭp′rō̍-kal)
, Adj.
[L.
reciprocus
; of unknown origin.] 1.
Recurring in vicissitude; alternate.
2.
Done by each to the other; interchanging or interchanged; given and received; due from each to each; mutual;
as,
reciprocal
love; reciprocal
duties.Let our
reciprocal
vows be remembered. Shakespeare
3.
Mutually interchangeable.
These two rules will render a definition
reciprocal
with the thing defined. I. Watts.
4.
(Gram.)
Reflexive; – applied to pronouns and verbs, but sometimes limited to such pronouns as express mutual action.
5.
(Math.)
Used to denote different kinds of mutual relation; often with reference to the substitution of reciprocals for given quantities. See the Phrases below.
Reciprocal equation
(Math.)
, one which remains unchanged in form when the reciprocal of the unknown quantity is substituted for that quantity.
– Reciprocal figures
(Geom.)
, two figures of the same kind (as triangles, parallelograms, prisms, etc.), so related that two sides of the one form the extremes of a proportion of which the means are the two corresponding sides of the other; in general, two figures so related that the first corresponds in some special way to the second, and the second corresponds in the same way to the first.
– Reciprocal proportion
(Math.)
, a proportion such that, of four terms taken in order, the first has to the second the same ratio which the fourth has to the third, or the first has to the second the same ratio which the reciprocal of the third has to the reciprocal of the fourth. Thus, 2:5: :20:8 form a reciprocal proportion, because 2:5: :1⁄20:1⁄8.
– Reciprocal quantities
(Math.)
, any two quantities which produce unity when multiplied together.
– Reciprocal ratio
(Math.)
, the ratio between the reciprocals of two quantities; as, the reciprocal ratio of 4 to 9 is that of ¼ to 1⁄9.
– Reciprocal terms
(Logic)
, those terms which have the same signification, and, consequently, are convertible, and may be used for each other.
Syn. – Mutual; alternate.
–
Reciprocal
, Mutual
. The distinctive idea of mutual is, that the parties unite by interchange in the same act; as, a
The distinctive idea of reciprocal is, that one party acts by way of return or response to something previously done by the other party; mutual
covenant; mutual
affection, etc. as, a
Love is reciprocal when the previous affection of one party has drawn forth the attachment of the other. To make it mutual in the strictest sense, the two parties should have fallen in love at the same time; but as the result is the same, the two words are here used interchangeably. The ebbing and flowing of the tide is a case where the action is reciprocal, but not mutual. reciprocal
kindness; reciprocal
reproaches, etc. Re-cip′ro-cal
,Noun.
1.
That which is reciprocal to another thing.
Corruption is a
reciprocal
to generation. Bacon.
2.
(Arith. & Alg.)
The quotient arising from dividing unity by any quantity; thus ¼ is the reciprocal of 4;
1/(a + b)
is the reciprocal of a + b
. The reciprocal of a fraction is the fraction inverted, or the denominator divided by the numerator. Webster 1828 Edition
Reciprocal
RECIP'ROCAL
,Adj.
1.
Acting in vicissitude or return; alternate.Corruption is reciprocal to generation.
2.
Mutual; done by each to the other; as reciprocal love; reciprocal benefits or favors; reciprocal duties; reciprocal aid.3.
Mutually interchangeable.These two rules will render a definition reciprocal with the thing defined.
Reciprocal terms, in logic, those terms that have the same signification, and consequently are convertible and may be used for each other.
Reciprocal quantities, in mathematics, are those which, multiplied together, produce unity.
Reciprocal figures, in geometry, are those which have the antecedents and consequents of the same ratio in both figures.
Reciprocal ratio, is the ratio between the reciprocals of two quantities; as, the reciprocal ratio of 4 to 9, is that of 1/4 to 1/9.
RECIP'ROCAL
,Noun.
Definition 2024
reciprocal
reciprocal
English
Adjective
reciprocal (not comparable)
- 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
- Shakespeare
- Let our reciprocal vows be remembered.
- Mutually interchangeable.
- I. Watts
- These two rules will render a definition reciprocal with the thing defined.
- I. Watts
- (grammar) expressing mutual action, applied to pronouns and verbs; also in a broad sense: reflexive
- (mathematics) Used to denote different kinds of mutual relation; often with reference to the substitution of reciprocals for given quantities.
- contrary or opposite
(Can we add an example for this sense?)
Synonyms
- mutual, two-way
- contrary, opposite, converse, inverse, inverted, cross
- (grammar): reflexive
- See also Wikisaurus:contrary
Related terms
Translations
done by each of two people towards the other
|
in the contrary or opposite way
Noun
reciprocal (plural reciprocals)
- (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
Translations
in mathematics