n. [ F. repr&unr_;saille, It. ripresaglia, rappresaglia, LL. reprensaliae, fr. L. reprehendere, reprehensum. See Reprehend, Reprise. ] 1. The act of taking from an enemy by way of retaliation or indemnity. [ 1913 Webster ] Debatable ground, on which incursions and reprisals continued to take place. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Anything taken from an enemy in retaliation. [ 1913 Webster ] 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.) [ 1913 Webster ] 4. Any act of retaliation. Waterland. [ 1913 Webster ] Letters of marque and reprisal. See under Marque. [ 1913 Webster ]
|