mu|tu|al

mu|tu|al «MYOO chu uhl», adjective, noun.

–adj.

1. done, said, or felt by each toward the other; given and received: »

mutual promises, mutual dislike. A family has mutual affection when each person likes the others and is liked by them.

SYNONYM(S): reciprocal.

2. each to the other: »

mutual enemies.

3. belonging to each respectively; respective; common. SYNONYM(S): See syn. under common. (Cf. ↑common)

4. belonging to each of several: »

We are happy to have him as our mutual friend.

5. of or having to do with mutual insurance: »

a mutual company.

–n.

1. a mutual insurance company.

2. = mutual fund (Cf. ↑mutual fund): »

The mutuals seldom buy speculative stocks (Maclean's).

╂[< Latin mūtuus reciprocal, related to mūtāre to change + English -al¹]