mutual
UK[ˈmjuːtʃuəl]US[ˈmjuːtʃuəl]
adj
(of a feeling or action) experienced or done by each of two or more parties towards the other or others.
adj
held in common by two or more parties.
Morpheme Breakdown
mutu
al
mutu
reciprocal
al
adjective suffix
Etymology
the word "mutual" entered english in the late 15th century from old french mutuel, which itself derived from latin mutuus, meaning "borrowed, reciprocal, exchanged." the latin term likely originates from the proto-indo-european root mei-, meaning "to change, go, move," which also gives rise to words like "migrate" and "commute." the core semantic logic is one of reciprocal exchange or shared action between parties. over time, the sense of a literal loan or exchange broadened to encompass any feeling, action, or relationship that is shared and reciprocally held, solidifying its modern abstract meaning.
Analysis
Structure: mutu (reciprocal) + al (adjective suffix)
mutu (from latin mutuus, meaning "borrowed, reciprocal, mutual"); al (from latin adjectival suffix -alis, indicating "pertaining to").
Examples
their mutual respect formed the foundation of a strong partnership.
we were introduced by a mutual friend.
the agreement was terminated by mutual consent.