reciprocate — to respond to (a gesture or action) by making a corresponding one
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to respond to (a gesture or action) by making a corresponding one
Pronunciation (IPA): /rɪˈsɪprəkeɪt/
Example Sentences
- My cat reciprocates my morning greetings by knocking everything off my desk.
- I always reciprocate when someone sends me a friend request on social media.
- She hoped he would reciprocate her romantic feelings, but he just wanted to be friends.
reciprocate
VERB[/rɪˈsɪprəkeɪt/]
to respond to (a gesture or action) by making a corresponding one
She brought him soup when he was sick, so he reciprocated when she caught a cold.
When we communicate, we reciprocate and participate!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The word derives from Latin reciprocatus, the past participle of reciprocare, meaning 'to move back and forth.' Originally describing physical back-and-forth motion, the term evolved to denote mutual exchange or give-and-take interaction, much like the alternating movement of a seesaw.
Breakdown
reciproc- (from Latin reciprocus, meaning 'moving back and forth') + -ate (verbal suffix forming transitive verbs). The root reciprocus combines re- (back) and pro- (forward), literally 'back and forth.'
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My cat reciprocates my morning greetings by knocking everything off my desk.”
“I always reciprocate when someone sends me a friend request on social media.”
“She hoped he would reciprocate her romantic feelings, but he just wanted to be friends.”
“The restaurant owner reciprocated our loyalty by giving us a free dessert.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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