reciprocal
(adjective) of or relating to the multiplicative inverse of a quantity or function; “the reciprocal ratio of a:b is b:a”
reciprocal, mutual
(adjective) concerning each of two or more persons or things; especially given or done in return; “reciprocal aid”; “reciprocal trade”; “mutual respect”; “reciprocal privileges at other clubs”
reciprocal
(noun) something (a term or expression or concept) that has an inverse relation to something else; “risk is the reciprocal of safety”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
reciprocal (not comparable)
Of a feeling, action or such: mutual, uniformly felt or done by each party towards the other or others; two-way.
Mutually interchangeable.
(grammar) expressing mutual action, applied to pronouns and verbs; also in a broad sense: reflexive
(math) Used to denote different kinds of mutual relation; often with reference to the substitution of reciprocals for given quantities.
Done, given, felt, or owed in return
• mutual, two-way
• contrary, opposite, converse, inverse, inverted, cross
• (grammar): reflexive
• See also contrary
reciprocal (plural reciprocals)
(arithmetic) The number obtained by dividing 1 by another given number; the result of exchanging the numerator and the denominator of a fraction.
(grammar) A construction expressing mutual action.
• (in arithmetic): multiplicative inverse
Source: Wiktionary
Re*cip"ro*cal, a. Etym: [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.)
Definition: Reflexive; -- applied to pronouns and verbs, but sometimes limited to such pronouns as express mutual action.
5. (Math.)
Definition: 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 ÂĽ 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 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.)
Definition: The quotient arising from dividing unity by any quantity; thus ÂĽ 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.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
1 March 2025
(adjective) (chemistry) of or relating to or containing one or more benzene rings; “an aromatic organic compound”
Espresso is both a coffee beverage and a brewing method that originated in Italy. When making an espresso, a small amount of nearly boiling water under pressure forces through finely-ground coffee beans. It has more caffeine per unit volume than most coffee beverages. Its smaller serving size will take three shots to equal a mug of standard brewed coffee.
