different between reciprocate vs avenge

English

Etymology

From Latin rec?proc? (“to move back and forth”), possibly from a phrase such as reque proque (“back and forth”), from re- (“back”), pr? (“forwards”) and -que (“and”). Compare reciprocal.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /???s?p???ke?t/

Verb

reciprocate (third-person singular simple present reciprocates, present participle reciprocating, simple past and past participle reciprocated)

1. (transitive) To exchange two things, with both parties giving one thing and taking another thing.
2. (transitive) To give something else in response (where the "thing" may also be abstract, a feeling or action) To make a reciprocal gift.

3. (intransitive) To move backwards and forwards, like a piston.

   • One brawny smith the puffing bellows plies, / And draws and blows reciprocating air.

4. (intransitive) To counter, retort or retaliate.

Translations

Italian

Verb

reciprocate

1. second-person plural present indicative of reciprocare
2. second-person plural imperative of reciprocare
3. feminine plural of reciprocato

English

Etymology

From Middle English avengen, borrowed from Old French avengier, from a- (“upon”) + vengier, from Latin vindic?, vindic?re.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /??v?nd??/

Verb

avenge (third-person singular simple present avenges, present participle avenging, simple past and past participle avenged)

1. (transitive) To take vengeance (for); to exact satisfaction for by punishing the injuring party; to vindicate by inflicting pain or evil on a wrongdoer.

   to avenge the murder of his brother
2. (intransitive, obsolete) To take vengeance.
3. (transitive, archaic) To treat revengefully; to wreak vengeance on.
   • 1609, Bishop Hall, Some few of David's Psalmes Metaphrased

     thy judgment in avenging thine enemies

Synonyms

• (take vengeance): bewreak, get back at, retaliate, take revenge
• (treat revengefully): spite
• See also Thesaurus:avenge

Usage notes

The object of "avenge" is generally the act of injury or the injured party, never (in modern usage) the injuring party. The injuring party may be specified with "on," as in "to avenge X on his killer," but this is rather more common with "take/get revenge" and "revenge oneself" than with "avenge."

Translations

Noun

avenge (plural avenges)

1. (archaic) An act of vengeance; a revenge.

Anagrams

• Geneva