RECIPROCAL

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does reciprocal mean? 

• RECIPROCAL (noun)
  The noun RECIPROCAL has 3 senses:

1. something (a term or expression or concept) that has an inverse relation to something else

2. (mathematics) one of a pair of numbers whose product is 1: the reciprocal of 2/3 is 3/2; the multiplicative inverse of 7 is 1/7

3. hybridization involving a pair of crosses that reverse the sexes associated with each genotype

  Familiarity information: RECIPROCAL used as a noun is uncommon.

• RECIPROCAL (adjective)
  The adjective RECIPROCAL has 2 senses:

1. concerning each of two or more persons or things; especially given or done in return

2. of or relating to the multiplicative inverse of a quantity or function

  Familiarity information: RECIPROCAL used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• RECIPROCAL (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Something (a term or expression or concept) that has an inverse relation to something else

Classified under:

Nouns denoting relations between people or things or ideas

Context example:

risk is the reciprocal of safety

Hypernyms ("reciprocal" is a kind of...):

reciprocality; reciprocity (a relation of mutual dependence or action or influence)

Sense 2

Meaning:

(mathematics) one of a pair of numbers whose product is 1: the reciprocal of 2/3 is 3/2; the multiplicative inverse of 7 is 1/7

Classified under:

Nouns denoting relations between people or things or ideas

Synonyms:

multiplicative inverse; reciprocal

Hypernyms ("reciprocal" is a kind of...):

inverse; opposite (something inverted in sequence or character or effect)

Domain category:

math; mathematics; maths (a science (or group of related sciences) dealing with the logic of quantity and shape and arrangement)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Hybridization involving a pair of crosses that reverse the sexes associated with each genotype

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

reciprocal; reciprocal cross

Hypernyms ("reciprocal" is a kind of...):

cross; crossbreeding; crossing; hybridisation; hybridization; hybridizing; interbreeding ((genetics) the act of mixing different species or varieties of animals or plants and thus to produce hybrids)

• RECIPROCAL (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Concerning each of two or more persons or things; especially given or done in return

Synonyms:

mutual; reciprocal

Context example:

reciprocal privileges at other clubs

Similar:

bilateral (affecting or undertaken by two parties)

trilateral (involving three parties)

correlative (expressing a reciprocal or complementary relation)

interactional; interactive (capable of acting on or influencing each other)

reciprocative; reciprocatory (moving alternately backward and forward)

reciprocative; reciprocatory (given or done or owed to each other)

Antonym:

nonreciprocal (not reciprocal)

Derivation:

reciprocality (a relation of mutual dependence or action or influence)

reciprocity (mutual exchange of commercial or other privileges)

reciprocity (a relation of mutual dependence or action or influence)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Of or relating to the multiplicative inverse of a quantity or function

Context example:

the reciprocal ratio of a:b is b:a

Similar:

inverse (opposite in nature or effect or relation to another quantity)

 Context examples 

Referring to anything in which both parties have reciprocal rights, understanding or agreement.

(Mutual, NCI Thesaurus)

Reciprocal t(17;22)(q22;q13) translocations with COL1A1 result in unregulated growth factor expression and are associated with DFSP.

(Oncogene SIS, NCI Thesaurus)

BCR-ABL oncoprotein is generated by a reciprocal translocation between chromosome 9 and 22 specifically t(9;22)(q34;q11).

(Metatinib Tromethamine, NCI Thesaurus)

At the same time, a reciprocal stimulation of cholesterol ester synthesis takes place.

(Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor, NCI Thesaurus/LocusLink)

It is required for reciprocal recombination and proper segregation of homologous chromosomes at meiosis.

(MutS Homolog 4, NCI Thesaurus)

The Baronet will never set the Thames on fire, but there seems to be no harm in him.—reciprocal compliments, which would have been esteemed about equal.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

A measurement in ohms is the reciprocal of a measurement in siemens.

(Ohm, NCI Thesaurus)

If the strength of your reciprocal attachment had failed, as between many people, and under many circumstances it naturally would during a four years' engagement, your situation would have been pitiable, indeed.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

A translocation, t(1;19)(q23;p13.3) involving this gene and the DAZAP1 gene, creates reciprocal DAZAP1/MEF2D and MEF2D/DAZAP1 fusion genes that both are expressed in acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

(MEF2B wt Allele, NCI Thesaurus)

This reciprocal relationship plays out in the wild and occurs without any conventional kind of ‘training’ or coercion.

(How humans and wild Honeyguide birds call each other to help, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)