retaliate

views updated May 14 2018

re·tal·i·ate / riˈtalēˌāt/ • v. [intr.] make an attack or assault in return for a similar attack: the blow stung and she retaliated immediately. ∎  [tr.] archaic repay (an injury or insult) in kind: they used their abilities to retaliate the injury.DERIVATIVES: re·tal·i·a·tion / riˌtalēˈāshən/ n.re·tal·i·a·tive / riˈtalēˌātiv; -ēətiv/ adj.re·tal·i·a·tor / -ˌātər/ n.re·tal·i·a·to·ry / riˈtalēəˌtôrē/ adj.

retaliate

views updated May 29 2018

retaliate XVII. f. pp. stem of L. retaliāre, f. RE- + tālis of such a kind; see -ATE2.
Hence retaliation XVI, retaliatory (-ORY2) XIX.