Word origins - 2ed. J. Ayto. 2005.
Retaliate — Re*tal i*ate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Retaliated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Retaliating}.] [L. retaliatus, p. p. of retaliare to retaliate; pref. re re + a word akin to talio talion, retaliation. Cf. {Talion}.] To return the like for; to repay or requite by … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
retaliate — re·tal·i·ate /ri ta lē ˌāt/ vi at·ed, at·ing: to act in revenge re·tal·i·a·tion / ˌta lē ā shən/ n re·tal·i·a·tive / ta lē ˌā tiv/ adj re·tal·ia·to·ry / tal yə ˌtōr ē/ adj … Law dictionary
Retaliate — Re*tal i*ate, v. i. To return like for like; specifically, to return evil for evil; as, to retaliate upon an enemy. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
retaliate — [ri tal′ē āt΄] vi. retaliated, retaliating [< LL retaliatus, pp. of retaliare, to require, retaliate < L re , back + talio, punishment in kind, akin to Welsh tāl, compensation] to return like for like; esp., to return evil for evil; pay… … English World dictionary
retaliate — (v.) 1610s, from pp. stem of L. retaliare (see RETALIATION (Cf. retaliation)). Related: Retaliated; retaliating … Etymology dictionary
retaliate — *reciprocate, requite, return Analogous words: revenge, *avenge: repay, recompense, compensate (see PAY) … New Dictionary of Synonyms
retaliate — [v] get even with someone even the score*, exact retribution, get, get back at, give and take*, make reprisal, pay, pay back, reciprocate, recompense, repay, requite, retrospect, return, return the compliment, revenge, revive, settle, square… … New thesaurus
retaliate — ► VERB ▪ make an attack or assault in return for a similar attack. DERIVATIVES retaliation noun retaliative adjective retaliator noun retaliatory adjective. ORIGIN Latin retaliare return in kind … English terms dictionary
retaliate — UK [rɪˈtælɪeɪt] / US [rɪˈtælˌɪeɪt] verb [intransitive] Word forms retaliate : present tense I/you/we/they retaliate he/she/it retaliates present participle retaliating past tense retaliated past participle retaliated to do something harmful or… … English dictionary
retaliate — re|tal|i|ate [ rı tæl,ieıt ] verb intransitive to do something harmful or unpleasant to someone because they have done something harmful or unpleasant to you: retaliate with: Militant students hurled firebombs and riot police retaliated with tear … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
retaliate — v. (D; intr.) to retaliate against; for (to retaliate against the enemy for shelling civilian targets) * * * [rɪ tælɪeɪt] for (to retaliate against the enemy for shelling civilian targets) (D; intr.) to retaliate against … Combinatory dictionary
