Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Retaliate
Re-tal′i-ate
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Retaliated
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Retaliating
.] [L.
retaliatus
, p. p. of retaliare
to retaliate; pref. re-
re- + a word akin to talio
talion, retaliation. Cf. Talion
.] To return the like for; to repay or requite by an act of the same kind; to return evil for (evil). [Now seldom used except in a bad sense.]
One ambassador sent word to the duke’s son that his visit should be
retaliated
. Sir T. Herbert.
It is unlucky to be obliged to
retaliate
the injuries of authors, whose works are so soon forgotten that we are in danger of appearing the first aggressors. Swift.
Re-tal′i-ate
,Verb.
I.
To return like for like; specifically, to return evil for evil;
as, to
. retaliate
upon an enemyWebster 1828 Edition
Retaliate
RETAL'IATE
,Verb.
T.
To return like for like; to repay or requite by an act of the same kind as has been received. It is now seldom used except in a bad sense, that is, to return evil for evil; as, to retaliate injuries. In war, enemies often retaliate the death or inhuman treatment of prisoners, the burning of towns or the plunder of goods.
It is unlucky to be obliged to retaliate the injuries of authors, whose works are so soon forgotten that we are in danger of appearing the first aggressors.
RETAL'IATE
,Verb.
I.