See Also: retaliate(dictionary)
retaliate(dictionary)

retaliate (iou)



retaliate verb. E17.
[Latin retaliat- pa. ppl stem of retaliare, formed as RE- + talis of such a kind: see -ATE3.]
verb trans. Requite, repay in kind (esp. an injury or insult). Also, cast (a charge or accusation) back on a person. Cf. earlier RETALIATION. E17.
James Mill Authority for retaliating some of the indignities. H. T. Buckle They used their abilities to retaliate the injury.
verb trans. Give (something) in return or reply. Also, repay or requite (a person). rare. Only in M17.
verb intrans. Make requital or repayment in kind for something, esp. an injury or insult; attack in return; take reprisals. M17.
P. Warner The English began hanging their prisoners..; the French retaliated by drowning theirs. Daily Telegraph He retaliated yesterday by defeating Connors.
retaliative adjective tending to retaliate; of the nature of retaliation: E19.
retaliator noun a person who retaliates L18.
retaliatory adjective of, pertaining to, or characteristic of retaliation E19.