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 nearby reciprocal
Example sentences from the Web for reciprocal
British Dictionary definitions for 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, adverbWord Origin for reciprocal
C16: from Latin
reciprocus alternating
Medical definitions for 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 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 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.