reciprocal

[ ri-sip-ruh-kuh l ]
/ rɪˈsɪp rə kəl /

adjective

noun

something that is reciprocal to something else; equivalent; counterpart; complement.
Also called multiplicative inverse. Mathematics. the ratio of unity to a given quantity or expression; that by which the given quantity or expression is multiplied to produce unity: The reciprocal of x is 1/x.

Origin of reciprocal

1560–70; < Latin reciproc(us) returning, reciprocal + -al1

synonym study for reciprocal

1. See mutual.

OTHER WORDS FROM reciprocal

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH reciprocal

mutual reciprocal (see synonym study at mutual) common mutual reciprocal (see usage note at mutual)

Words nearby reciprocal

recip., recipe, recipience, recipiency, recipient, reciprocal, reciprocal exchange, reciprocal inhibition, reciprocal insurance, reciprocal leveling, reciprocal transfusion

Example sentences from the Web for non-reciprocal

British Dictionary definitions for non-reciprocal

reciprocal
/ (rɪˈsɪprəkəl) /

adjective

noun

something that is reciprocal
Also called: inverse maths a number or quantity that when multiplied by a given number or quantity gives a product of one the reciprocal of 2 is 0.5

Derived forms of reciprocal

reciprocality, noun reciprocally, adverb

Word Origin for reciprocal

C16: from Latin reciprocus alternating

Medical definitions for non-reciprocal

reciprocal
[ rĭ-sĭp′rə-kəl ]

adj.

Of or relating to a neuromuscular phenomenon in which the excitation of one group of muscles is accompanied by the inhibition of another.
Of or being a pair of crosses in which the male parent in one cross is of the same genotype or phenotype as the female parent in the other cross.

Scientific definitions for non-reciprocal

reciprocal
[ rĭ-sĭp′rə-kəl ]

Either of a pair of numbers whose product is 1. For example, the number 3 is the reciprocal of 13.

Cultural definitions for non-reciprocal

reciprocal

The number by which a given number must be multiplied to get a result of one. The reciprocal of one-half, for example, is two.