reprisal

Meaning

Noun

• An act of retaliation.
• Something taken from an enemy in retaliation.
• The act of taking something from an enemy by way of retaliation or indemnity.

Origin

• From Anglo-Norman reprisaille (French représaille), from Old Italian ripresaglia (Italian rappresaglia), from ripreso, past participle of riprendere, from Latin reprendere, earlier reprehendere (see reprehend).