Reciprocal: going both ways
Reciprocal means involving an exchange or a corresponding action on both sides. It comes from Latin reciprocus, meaning returning the same way or moving back and forth. Two clubs offering reciprocal access allow each other's members to use specified facilities under the arrangement.
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An arrangement in both directions
Reciprocal is an adjective for something shared, exchanged or returned between two sides. It comes from Latin reciprocus, associated with movement back and forth.
If two clubs provide reciprocal access, members of each receive access through the arrangement. The word indicates that the relationship operates in both directions, although the exact terms still need to be stated.
Common combinations include:
- Reciprocal access between organisations.
- A reciprocal agreement between two groups.
Do not assume reciprocal means identical in every detail. One club might offer use of a reading room while another offers use of a study area. The correspondence lies in the mutual arrangement, and the written conditions explain what each side actually provides.