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Webster 1913 Edition

Reciprocate

Re-cip′ro-cate

(rē̍-sĭp′rō̍-kāt)
,
Verb.
I.
[
imp. & p. p.
Reciprocated
(rē̍-sĭp′rō̍-kāˊtĕd)
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Reciprocating
.]
[L.
reciprocatus
, p. p. of
reciprocare
. See
Reciprocal
.]
To move forward and backward alternately; to recur in vicissitude; to act interchangeably; to alternate.
One brawny smith the puffing bellows plies,
And draws and blows
reciprocating
air.
Dryden.
Reciprocating engine
,
a steam, air, or gas engine, etc., in which the piston moves back and forth; – in distinction from a rotary engine, in which the piston travels continuously in one direction in a circular path.
–
Reciprocating motion
(Mech.)
,
motion alternately backward and forward, or up and down, as of a piston rod.

Re-cip′ro-cate

,
Verb.
T.
To give and return mutually; to make return for; to give in return; to interchange; to alternate;
as, to
reciprocate
favors
.
Cowper.

Webster 1828 Edition

Reciprocate

RECIP'ROCATE

,
Verb.
I.
[L. reciproco.] To act interchangeably; to alternate.
One brawny smith the puffing bellows plies, and draws and blows reciprocating air.

RECIP'ROCATE

,
Verb.
T.
To exchange; to interchange; to give and return mutually; as, to reciprocate favors.

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