What is "retaliating"

Retaliate \Re*tal"i*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Retaliated; p. pr. & vb. n. Retaliating.] [L. retaliatus, p. p. of retaliare to retaliate; pref. re- re- + a word akin to talio talion, retaliation. Cf. Talion.] To return the like for; to repay or requite by an act of the same kind; to return evil for (evil). [Now seldom used except in a bad sense.]

One ambassador sent word to the duke's son that his visit should be retaliated.
--Sir T. Herbert.

It is unlucky to be obliged to retaliate the injuries of authors, whose works are so soon forgotten that we are in danger of appearing the first aggressors.
--Swift.

vb. (present participle of retaliate English)