1533, from M.Fr. invertir, from L. invertere "turn upside down, turn about," from in- "in, on" + vertere "to turn" see versus). Inversion is from 1551.
Main Entry: 1in·vert Pronunciation: in-'v&rt Function: transitive verb 1 a: to reverse in position, order, or relationship
<adjacent sequences of DNA and RNA that are complementary and inverted> b: to subject to inversion 2 a: to turn inside out or upside down
b: to turn inward <when a foot is inverted its forepart tends to approach the midline of the body —Journal of the American Medical Association>
invertintransitive senses : to undergo inversion <a normal nipple that inverts later in life can be an ominous sign —P. G. Donohue>
In*verse"\, a. [L. inversus, p. p. of invertere: cf. F. inverse. See Invert.]1. Opposite in order, relation, or effect; reversed; inverted; reciprocal; -- opposed to direct. 2. (Bot.) Inverted; having a position or mode of attachment the reverse of that which is usual. 3. (Math.) Opposite in nature and effect; -- said with reference to any two operations, which, when both are performed in succession upon any quantity, reproduce that quantity; as, multiplication is the inverse operation to division. The symbol of an inverse operation is the symbol of the direct operation with -1 as an index. Thus sin-1 x means the arc whose sine is x. Inverse figures (Geom.), two figures, such that each point of either figure is inverse to a corresponding point in the order figure. Inverse points (Geom.), two points lying on a line drawn from the center of a fixed circle or sphere, and so related that the product of their distances from the center of the circle or sphere is equal to the square of the radius. Inverse, or Reciprocal, ratio (Math.), the ratio of the reciprocals of two quantities. Inverse, or Reciprocal, {proportion, an equality between a direct ratio and a reciprocal ratio; thus, 4 : 2 : : 1/3 : 1/6, or 4 : 2 : : 3 : 6, inversely.
In*ver"sion\, n. [L. inversio: cf. F. inversion. See Invert.]1. The act of inverting, or turning over or backward, or the state of being inverted. 2. A change by inverted order; a reversed position or arrangement of things; transposition. It is just the inversion of an act of Parliament; your lordship first signed it, and then it was passed among the Lords and Commons. --Dryden. 3. (Mil.) A movement in tactics by which the order of companies in line is inverted, the right being on the left, the left on the right, and so on. 4. (Math.) A change in the order of the terms of a proportion, so that the second takes the place of the first, and the fourth of the third. 5. (Geom.) A peculiar method of transformation, in which a figure is replaced by its inverse figure. Propositions that are true for the original figure thus furnish new propositions that are true in the inverse figure. See Inverse figures, under Inverse. 6. (Gram.) A change of the usual order of words or phrases; as, "of all vices, impurity is one of the most detestable," instead of, "impurity is one of the most detestable of all vices." 7. (Rhet.) A method of reasoning in which the orator shows that arguments advanced by his adversary in opposition to him are really favorable to his cause. 8. (Mus.) (a) Said of intervals, when the lower tone is placed an octave higher, so that fifths become fourths, thirds sixths, etc. (b) Said of a chord, when one of its notes, other than its root, is made the bass. (c) Said of a subject, or phrase, when the intervals of which it consists are repeated in the contrary direction, rising instead of falling, or vice versa. (d) Said of double counterpoint, when an upper and a lower part change places. 9. (Geol.) The folding back of strata upon themselves, as by upheaval, in such a manner that the order of succession appears to be reversed. 10. (Chem.) The act or process by which cane sugar (sucrose), under the action of heat and acids or ferments (as diastase), is broken or split up into grape sugar (dextrose), and fruit sugar (levulose); also, less properly, the process by which starch is converted into grape sugar (dextrose). Note: The terms invert and inversion, in this sense, owe their meaning to the fact that the plane of polarization of light, which is rotated to the right by cane sugar, is turned toward the left by levulose.
In*vert"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Inverted; p. pr. & vb. n. Inverting.] [L. invertere, inversum; pref. in- in + vertere to turn. See Verse.]1. To turn over; to put upside down; to upset; to place in a contrary order or direction; to reverse; as, to invert a cup, the order of words, rules of justice, etc. That doth invert the attest of eyes and ears, As if these organs had deceptious functions. --Shak. Such reasoning falls like an inverted cone, Wanting its proper base to stand upon. --Cowper. 2. (Mus.) To change the position of; -- said of tones which form a chord, or parts which compose harmony. 3. To divert; to convert to a wrong use. [Obs.] --Knolles. 4. (Chem.) To convert; to reverse; to decompose by, or subject to, inversion. See Inversion, n., 10.
In"vert\, a. (Chem.) Subjected to the process of inversion; inverted; converted; as, invert sugar. Invert sugar (Chem.), a variety of sugar, consisting of a mixture of dextrose and levulose, found naturally in fruits, and produced artificially by the inversion of cane sugar (sucrose); also, less properly, the grape sugar or dextrose obtained from starch. See Inversion, Dextrose, Levulose, and Sugar.
Sug"ar\, n. [OE. sugre, F. sucre (cf. It. zucchero, Sp. az['u]car), fr. Ar. sukkar, assukkar, fr. Skr. [,c]arkar[=a] sugar, gravel; cf. Per. shakar. Cf. Saccharine, Sucrose.]1. A sweet white (or brownish yellow) crystalline substance, of a sandy or granular consistency, obtained by crystallizing the evaporated juice of certain plants, as the sugar cane, sorghum, beet root, sugar maple, etc. It is used for seasoning and preserving many kinds of food and drink. Ordinary sugar is essentially sucrose. See the Note below. Note: The term sugar includes several commercial grades, as the white or refined, granulated, loaf or lump, and the raw brown or muscovado. In a more general sense, it includes several distinct chemical compounds, as the glucoses, or grape sugars (including glucose proper, dextrose, and levulose), and the sucroses, or true sugars (as cane sugar). All sugars are carbohydrates. See Carbohydrate. The glucoses, or grape sugars, are ketone alcohols of the formula C6H12O6, and they turn the plane of polarization to the right or the left. They are produced from the amyloses and sucroses, as by the action of heat and acids of ferments, and are themselves decomposed by fermentation into alcohol and carbon dioxide. The only sugar (called acrose) as yet produced artificially belongs to this class. The sucroses, or cane sugars, are doubled glucose anhydrides of the formula C12H22O11. They are usually not fermentable as such (cf. Sucrose), and they act on polarized light. 2. By extension, anything resembling sugar in taste or appearance; as, sugar of lead (lead acetate), a poisonous white crystalline substance having a sweet taste. 3. Compliment or flattery used to disguise or render acceptable something obnoxious; honeyed or soothing words. [Colloq.] Acorn sugar. See Quercite. Cane sugar, sugar made from the sugar cane; sucrose, or an isomeric sugar. See Sucrose. Diabetes, or Diabetic, sugar (Med. Chem.), a variety of sugar (probably grape sugar or dextrose) excreted in the urine in diabetes mellitus. Fruit sugar. See under Fruit, and Fructose. Grape sugar, a sirupy or white crystalline sugar (dextrose or glucose) found as a characteristic ingredient of ripe grapes, and also produced from many other sources. See Dextrose, and Glucose. Invert sugar. See under Invert. Malt sugar, a variety of sugar isomeric with sucrose, found in malt. See Maltose. Manna sugar, a substance found in manna, resembling, but distinct from, the sugars. See Mannite. Milk sugar, a variety of sugar characteristic of fresh milk, and isomeric with sucrose. See Lactose. Muscle sugar, a sweet white crystalline substance isomeric with, and formerly regarded to, the glucoses. It is found in the tissue of muscle, the heart, liver, etc. Called also heart sugar. See Inosite. Pine sugar. See Pinite. Starch sugar (Com. Chem.), a variety of dextrose made by the action of heat and acids on starch from corn, potatoes, etc.; -- called also potato sugar, corn sugar, and, inaccurately, invert sugar. See Dextrose, and Glucose. Sugar barek, one who refines sugar. Sugar beet (Bot.), a variety of beet (Beta vulgaris) with very large white roots, extensively grown, esp. in Europe, for the sugar obtained from them. Sugar berry (Bot.), the hackberry. Sugar bird (Zo["o]l.), any one of several species of small South American singing birds of the genera C[oe]reba, Dacnis, and allied genera belonging to the family C[oe]rebid[ae]. They are allied to the honey eaters. Sugar bush. See Sugar orchard. Sugar camp, a place in or near a sugar orchard, where maple sugar is made. Sugar candian, sugar candy. [Obs.] Sugar candy, sugar clarified and concreted or crystallized; candy made from sugar. Sugar cane (Bot.), a tall perennial grass (Saccharum officinarium), with thick short-jointed stems. It has been cultivated for ages as the principal source of sugar. Sugar loaf. (a) A loaf or mass of refined sugar, usually in the form of a truncated cone. (b) A hat shaped like a sugar loaf. Why, do not or know you, grannam, and that sugar loaf? --J. Webster. Sugar maple (Bot.), the rock maple (Acer saccharinum). See Maple. Sugar mill, a machine for pressing out the juice of the sugar cane, usually consisting of three or more rollers, between which the cane is passed. Sugar mite. (Zo["o]l.) (a) A small mite (Tyroglyphus sacchari), often found in great numbers in unrefined sugar. (b) The lepisma. Sugar of lead. See Sugar, 2, above. Sugar of milk. See under Milk. Sugar orchard, a collection of maple trees selected and preserved for purpose of obtaining sugar from them; -- called also, sometimes, sugar bush. [U.S.] --Bartlett. Sugar pine (Bot.), an immense coniferous tree (Pinus Lambertiana) of California and Oregon, furnishing a soft and easily worked timber. The resinous exudation from the stumps, etc., has a sweetish taste, and has been used as a substitute for sugar. Sugar squirrel (Zo["o]l.), an Australian flying phalanger (Belideus sciureus), having a long bushy tail and a large parachute. It resembles a flying squirrel. See Illust. under Phlanger. Sugar tongs, small tongs, as of silver, used at table for taking lumps of sugar from a sugar bowl. Sugar tree. (Bot.) See Sugar maple, above.
Verse\, n. [OE. vers, AS. fers, L. versus a line in writing, and, in poetry, a verse, from vertere, versum, to turn, to turn round; akin to E. worth to become: cf. F. vers. See Worth to become, and cf. Advertise, Averse, Controversy, Convert, Divers, Invert, Obverse, Prose, Suzerain, Vortex.]1. A line consisting of a certain number of metrical feet (see Foot, n., 9) disposed according to metrical rules. Note: Verses are of various kinds, as hexameter, pentameter, tetrameter, etc., according to the number of feet in each. A verse of twelve syllables is called an Alexandrine. Two or more verses form a stanza or strophe. 2. Metrical arrangement and language; that which is composed in metrical form; versification; poetry. Such prompt eloquence Flowed from their lips in prose or numerous verse. --Milton. Virtue was taught in verse. --Prior. Verse embalms virtue. --Donne. 3. A short division of any composition. Specifically: (a) A stanza; a stave; as, a hymn of four verses. Note: Although this use of verse is common, it is objectionable, because not always distinguishable from the stricter use in the sense of a line. (b) (Script.) One of the short divisions of the chapters in the Old and New Testaments. Note: The author of the division of the Old Testament into verses is not ascertained. The New Testament was divided into verses by Robert Stephens [or Estienne], a French printer. This arrangement appeared for the first time in an edition printed at Geneva, in 1551. (c) (Mus.) A portion of an anthem to be performed by a single voice to each part. 4. A piece of poetry. "This verse be thine." --Pope. Blank verse, poetry in which the lines do not end in rhymes. Heroic verse. See under Heroic.