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Glite Dictionary
↔️ Back-and-forth 🤝 Mutual
reciprocatory

reciprocatory

9.9
Moving back and forth in a regular way
  • adjective
  • /rɪˈsɪprəˌkeɪtəri/
  • Specialized
translation icon : recíproco
  • A sewing machine uses a reciprocatory motion to move the needle up and down.

Examples

  • The reciprocatory movement of the engine piston helps power the vehicle.

  • The reciprocatory motion of the pendulum fascinated the students.

  • The experiment involved a reciprocatory arm oscillating between two fixed points.

  • The reciprocatory movements of the dancers created a beautiful rhythm.

  • The reciprocatory action of the pump allows water to flow continuously through the system.

  • The reciprocatory movement of the robot's arm was essential for carrying out its tasks.

  • During the demonstration, the reciprocatory motion of the toy train amazed the children.

Synonyms

back and forth
vsreciprocatory
374 2.0

Moving one way and then the other again and again

is a more technical term for alternating motion
oscillatory
vsreciprocatory
  • Specialized
1 8.4

Moving back and forth in a regular way

is the general alternating motion and may lack the vibration emphasis
reciprocative
vsreciprocatory
  • Specialized
9.1

Moving back and forth in a straight line like a sewing machine needle

is identical in meaning but differs only in word form
oscillating
vsreciprocatory
  • Specialized
6.2

Moving back and forth in a regular way

is similar but denotes general alternating motion without rhythm

Antonyms

fixed
1.8

Stays the same and cannot be changed

How Oscillatory

oscillatory
  • Specialized
1 8.4
reciprocatory
  • Specialized
9.9
vibratory
2 7.1
wobbly
36 3.6

Surface Forms

reciprocatory positive

Morphology

reciprocatory = reciprocate (transparent) = reciprocate + ory

Derived by straightforward suffixation from the verb 'reciprocate', so the motion-related sense is directly predictable.

Etymology

Reciprocatory comes from the root reciproc-, which means 'return' or 'back and forth'. So, when something moves forward and back, like a sewing machine needle or an engine piston, it is called reciprocatory.