Definitions for: Reprisal

[n] a retaliatory action against an enemy in wartime

Webster (1913) Definition: 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.

See Also: retaliation, revenge

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