WorldAugust 17, 2026

reciprocity

reh-sih-PROS-ih-tee

Definition

The practice of exchanging things with others for mutual benefit or shared legal and diplomatic treatment.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'reciprocus,' meaning 'moving backward and forward,' and later adapted into English in the 16th century to describe the mutual exchange of rights or privileges.

In the news

Iraq is transferring foreign prisoners based on the principle of reciprocity, expecting that other nations will fulfill their duty to receive their citizens in exchange for Iraq's cooperation.

Six Thousand ISIS Members: Ministry of Justice Issues Circulars to Countries for Receiving Their Prisoners, Except Those Sentenced to Death

Read the full article ↗

ShiaWaves

Related words

abet

To encourage, support, or assist someone in the commission of an offense or wrongdoing.

World

appellate

Relating to or concerned with the hearing of appeals, particularly within the judicial…

World

bellwether

An indicator or predictor of future trends; a leading case used to test the legal…

World

colourable

Appearing to be legal, valid, or legitimate on the surface, but actually executed for a…

World

destabilize

To cause something to become unstable, precarious, or unable to function in its current…

World

holographic

Refers to a legal document, such as a will, that is entirely handwritten by the person…

World

Learn a word like this every day

Meet one new word every morning.

Newspoken pulls one carefully chosen word from the day’s news — with a clear definition, context, and light review that makes it stick. Get it on your phone.