English Explanatory Dictionary

reprisal

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. An act of retaliation.
  2. Something taken from an enemy in retaliation.
  3. The act of taking something from an enemy by way of retaliation or indemnity.

Pronunciation

/ɹɪˈpɹaɪzəl/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-reprisal.wav

Word forms

reprisal reprisals

Etymology

From Anglo-Norman reprisaille (French représaille), from Old Italian ripresaglia (Italian rappresaglia), from ripreso, past participle of riprendere (“to take back”), from Latin reprendere, earlier reprehendere (see reprehend).

Derived words

antireprisal counterreprisal letter of marque and reprisal nonreprisal
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