Definition of: reciprocate

(ri·sip′rə·kāt) v. ·cat·ed, ·cat·ing v.t.
1. To cause to move backward and forward alternately.
2. To give and receive mutually, as favors or gifts; interchange.
3. To give, feel, do, etc., in return; requite, as an emotion.
—v.i.
4. To move backward and forward.
5. To make a return in kind.
6. To give and receive favors, gifts, etc., mutually.
7. To correspond; be equivalent. See synonyms under REQUITE. [<L reciprocatus, pp. of reciprocare move to and fro <reciprocus returning]
—re·cip′ro·ca′tive adjective
—re·cip′ro·ca′tor noun