reciprocating

CEFRB2

/rɪˈsɪprəˌkeɪtɪŋ/

adjective · verb

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    adjective

    Moving back and forth repeatedly.

  2. 02

    adjective

    Extra detail

    Of an engine type, that has one or more pistons that move back and forth or up and down.

Examples

  • Guinea sends experts to help DRC combat the virus, reciprocating after earlier West African outbreak.

  • The engine operates using a reciprocating piston mechanism.

At a glance

Sits at B2 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
2
Synonyms
2

Deep Dive

adjective

Extra meanings

  1. That moves back and forth or up and down.

  2. Of an other machine, whose mechanism relies on a back and forth or up and down motion.

verb

Extra meaning

  1. present participle and gerund of reciprocate

More examples

In context

  • This reciprocating saw is cost-prohibitive.

  • reciprocating behavior

Synonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

The engine's piston is blank rapidly, converting fuel into motion.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

adjective

See reciprocate § Etymology.