1. given by each side: given or shown by each of two sides or people to the other reciprocal compliments
2. in return: given or done in return for something else a reciprocal exchange of gifts
3. mathematics multiplied to give one: describes a number or quality that is related to another by the fact that when multiplied together the product is one
4. mathematics complementing: serving to complement one another reciprocal angles
noun (pluralre·cip·ro·cals)
Definition:
1. something mutual: something that is mutual or done in return
2. mathematics number multiplied to give one: a number or quantity that is related to another by the fact that when multiplied together the product is one 4 and 1/4 are reciprocals.
[Late 16th century. < Latin reciprocus "going backward and forward" < re- "backward" + pro- "forward"]
