Reprisal Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/rɪˈprɪsəl/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

A reprisal is a retaliatory or punitive action taken in response to an injury, offense, or injustice, often motivated by a desire for revenge or satisfaction.

Etymology

The word “reprisal” originates from the Old French “reprise,” meaning “seizure” or “capture,” and is derived from the Latin “repraehens,” meaning “taking back.” It has been used in English since the 15th century to describe a retaliatory or punitive action.

Usage Notes

Reprisal is often used in formal or written contexts, such as in legal or historical contexts, to describe an action taken in response to a perceived injustice or injury. It can also be used in more casual contexts to describe a retaliatory action taken in response to a personal offense or slight.

Cultural References

Notable appearances of the word “reprisal” can be found in literature and history, such as in Shakespeare’s play “Hamlet,” where the character of Claudius uses the term to describe his actions against Hamlet, or in the context of international relations, where reprisals are often discussed as a means of responding to aggression or hostile actions.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

• “To take a reprisal” – to take retaliatory action against someone or something

Related Words or Phrases

• Retaliation
• Punishment
• Vengeance

Collocations

• Take a reprisal against
• Reprisal for

Frequency of Use

Reprisal is a relatively infrequently used word in modern language, with most instances found in formal or written contexts such as law, history, or literature.

Common Misspellings

• Repriesal
• Reprisall