n. 1. The act or an instance of retaliating for a loss or injury. 2. The act or practice of forcibly seizing an enemy's goods or citizens in retaliation for a loss or injury inflicted. [Middle English reprisail, from Old French reprisaille, from Old Italian ripresaglia, from ripreso, past participle of riprendere, to take back, from Latin reprehendere, reprēndere, to take hold of; see REPREHEND.] |
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