|
(-rkal), a.[L. reciprocus; of unknown origin.] 1. Recurring in vicissitude; alternate. 2. Done by each to the other; interchanging or interchanged; given and received; due from each to each; mutual; as, reciprocal love; reciprocal duties. Let our reciprocal vows be remembered. Shak. 3. Mutually interchangeable. These two rules will render a definition reciprocal with the thing defined. I. Watts. 4. (Gram.) Reflexive; -- applied to pronouns and verbs, but sometimes limited to such pronouns as express mutual action. 5. (Math.) Used to denote different kinds of mutual relation; often with reference to the substitution of reciprocals for given quantities. See the Phrases below. Reciprocal equation (Math.), one which remains unchanged in form when the reciprocal of the unknown quantity is substituted for that quantity. Reciprocal figures (Geom.), two figures of the same kind (as triangles, parallelograms, prisms, etc.), so related that two sides of the one form the extremes of a propor Recip"rocal n. 1. That which is reciprocal to another thing. Corruption is a reciprocal to generation. Bacon. 2. (Arith. & Alg.) The quotient arising from dividing unity by any quantity; thus, is the reciprocal of 4; 1/(a +b) is the reciprocal of a + b. The reciprocal of a fraction is the fraction inverted, or the denominator divided by the numerator. スポンサード リンク
|