Reciprocating

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Reciprocate \Re*cip"ro*cate\ (r[-e]*s[i^]p"r[-o]*k[=a]t), v. i.
     [imp. & p. p. {Reciprocated}
     (r[-e]*s[i^]p"r[-o]*k[=a]`t[e^]d); 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.
     [1913 Webster]
  
           One brawny smith the puffing bellows plies,
           And draws and blows reciprocating air.   --Dryden.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     {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.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  reciprocating
       adj : moving alternately backward and forward [syn: {reciprocatory}]