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Glite Dictionary
reciprocator

reciprocator

7.3
A person who returns a favor or a machine that moves back and forth
  • noun
  • /rɪˈsɪprəˌkeɪtər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : reciprocador
  • The engineer designed a new machine with a reciprocator to enhance its efficiency.

Examples

  • One illustrates an upper-level millstone powered by a lower-level horizontal waterwheel; the other describes a water-powered reciprocator.

    Academic text (2002)

  • The upper compartments of the mill contain, in the center, the main millstones and, to the right, a reciprocator working a flour sifter, each of them powered by a horizontal waterwheel (Fig. 4).

    Academic text (2002)

  • In the process of producing energy, the reciprocator converts motion in alternating directions.

  • The old clock features a reciprocator that swings back and forth to keep accurate time.

Synonyms

responder
vsreciprocator
72 3.0

A person who answers questions or reacts to events

also covers some devices and physical back-and-forth motion
replier
vsreciprocator
5.6

A machine or program that automatically sends answers to messages

can mean a reciprocal action or physical back-and-forth motion

How Responsive

actuator
  • Specialized
5 7.4
responder
72 3.0
reciprocator
  • Specialized
7.3
bystander
84 3.4

Surface Forms

reciprocator singular
reciprocators plural

Morphology

reciprocator = reciprocate (transparent) = reciprocate + or

The agentive suffix '-or' is added to the verb 'reciprocate' to form 'one that reciprocates'.

Etymology

The word reciprocator comes from the root reciproc-, which means 'give back' or 'return' and is the same root as reciprocal and reciprocate. So a reciprocator is someone or something that 'gives back' in the same way, or that moves 'back and forth'.