reprisal

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   The act of taking something from an enemy by way of retaliation or indemnity.

   Debatable ground, on which incursions and reprisals continued to take place.

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).

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