RECIPROCATE

reciprocate. Reciprocate, v.i. to act mutually or by turns

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Re‐cip″ro‐cate (–kāt), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Reciprocated (–kā′tĕd); p. pr. & vb. n. Reciprocating.] [[L. reciprocatus, p. p. of reciprocare. See Reciprocal.]] To move forward and backward alternately; to recur in vicissitude; to act interchangeably; to alternate. One brawny smith the puffing bellows plies, And draws and blows reciprocating air. Dryden. Reciprocating engine, a steam, air, or gas engine, etc., in which the piston moves back and forth; — in distinction from a rotary engine, in which the piston travels continuously in one direction in a circular path. — Reciprocating motion (Mech.), motion alternately backward and forward, or up and down, as of a piston rod.