Definition of Recipracal
Re*cip"ro*cal (-r&osl;*kal), a.
[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. Shak.
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 &frac19;. -- 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 mutual
covenant; mutual affection, etc. The distinctive idea of
reciprocal is, that one party acts by way of return or response
to something previously done by the other party; as, a
reciprocal kindness; reciprocal reproaches, etc. 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.
Re*cip"ro*cal, n. 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's Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
- Of an action, feeling, etc, done, felt, etc, by each of two people to, on or towards the other.
- In the contrary or opposite way, order, or direction
- (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.
- The Nuttall Encyclopedia
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