Reciprocity

as 'condition of like forward, like back'

Morphological analysis

• Etymon: The word reciprocity derives from Latin reciprocitās meaning 'quality of like forward like back'.
• Morpheme breakdown: re: 'back' + ci 'like' + pro 'forward' + ci 'like' + -ity 'condition of' → 'condition of like forward, like back'.

Essential definition

The Latin abstract noun reciprocitās (from reciprocus, "moving back and forth") evolved into French réciprocité, from which English directly borrowed and anglicized the spelling to reciprocity in the 18th century.

Semantic context

• Conventional sense: Reciprocity is the principle or practice of mutual exchange, where actions, benefits, or feelings are given and received in corresponding, often equivalent, measure. (Note: Semantic drift from essential meaning)
• Essential meaning (my usage): condition of like forward, like back

Philosophical significance

The proposed definition captures the philosophical essence of reciprocity by grounding a universal, abstract principle in an intuitive, causal law of symmetry ("like forward, like back").

Usage in this lexicon

When I use the word reciprocity in my work, I mean exactly 'condition of like forward, like back'. This definition:

• provides a concise and easily memorable verbal definition of the abstract concept;
• anchors the principle in a fundamental, observable pattern of action and reaction;
• makes the concept intuitively accessible without requiring technical or academic language;
• emphasizes symmetry and equivalence as core components of reciprocal relationships;
• can be applied as a foundational rule in both social contexts and physical systems;
• aids in teaching and explaining reciprocity by using simple, parallel phrasing;
• helps distinguish reciprocal actions from other forms of exchange or response;
• serves as a mental model for evaluating fairness and balance in interactions;
• the phrasing 'like forward' implies a deliberate initiating action;
• the phrasing 'like back' implies a direct, matching consequence or return; and
• useful for establishing basic rules in cooperative games, social agreements, or system design.

Related terms

Sources

• Wiktionary

*This definition follows morphological essentialism principles. See the Methodology for details.