early 15c., "seizing property or citizens of another nation in retaliation for loss inflicted on one's own," from Anglo-French reprisaille (14c.), from Old French reprisaille (Modern French représaille), from early Italian ripresaglia, from ripreso, past participle of riprendere "take back," from Latin reprendere, earlier reprehendere (see reprehend). General sense of "retaliation" is from 1710.
雙語例句
1. There were fears that some of the Western hostages might be killed in reprisal.
有人擔心一些西方人質可能會受到報復性殺害。
來自柯林斯例句
2. There is no political alternative but a big reprisal.
政治上沒有旁的選擇只能是大規模報復.
來自辭典例句
3. Hand , being greatly hurt in his pride, contemplated only severe reprisal.
韓德的自尊心受到嚴重傷害, 一心一意考慮著嚴厲的報復.
來自辭典例句
4. Civilian targets were bombed in reprisal ( for the raid ).