Mū'tu-al, a.

(mūt'yū-al), a. [Fr. mutuel, Sp. mutual, mutuo, It. mutuo, Lat. mutuus, from mutare, to change.] Reciprocally acting or related; reciprocally receiving; reciprocally given and received; reciprocal; interchanged; as, mutual love, advantage, assistance, aversion.

And, what should most excite a mutual flame, Your rural cares and pleasures are the same. Pope.

Synonyms—Reciprocal; interchanged; common. See RECIPROCAL.—MUTUAL, COMMON. Common is applied to that which belongs alike, or in common, to the parties concerned; as, our common country, a common friend. Mutual implies an interchange of the thing spoken of between the parties; as, mutual friendship. Hence, to speak of “a mutual friend” (as if a friend could be interchanged) is a gross error; while it is proper to speak of having a mutual desire to promote the interests of a common friend, or those of our common country.

Faithful friends, that spend their goods in common. Surrey.

Among unequals what society Can we, what harmony or true delight; Which must be mutual. Milton.