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Reprisal - Dictionary Definition and Overview |
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Reprisal : (noun)
1: a retaliatory action against an enemy in wartime
Based on WordNet 2.0
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Reprisal : \Re*pris"al\ (r?-priz"al), n. [F. repr?saille, It.
ripresaglia, rappresaglia, LL. reprensaliae, fr. L.
reprehendere, reprehensum. See Reprehend, Reprise.]
1. The act of taking from an enemy by way of reteliation or
indemnity.
Debatable ground, on which incursions and reprisals
continued to take place. --Macaulay.
2. Anything taken from an enemy in retaliation.
3. The act of retorting on an enemy by inflicting suffering
or death on a prisoner taken from him, in retaliation for
an act of inhumanity. --Vattel (Trans.)
4. Any act of retaliation. --Waterland.
Letters of marque and reprisal. See under Marque.
Based on WordNet (r) 2.0 (August 2003)
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