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reverse

 - 5 dictionary results

re⋅verse

[ri-vurs] adjective, noun, verb, -versed, -vers⋅ing.
–adjective
1. opposite or contrary in position, direction, order, or character: an impression reverse to what was intended; in reverse sequence.
2. with the back or rear part toward the observer: the reverse side of a fabric.
3. pertaining to or producing movement in a mechanism opposite to that made under ordinary running conditions: a reverse gear; a reverse turbine.
4. acting in a manner opposite or contrary to that which is usual, as an appliance or apparatus.
5. noting or pertaining to an image like that seen in a mirror; backward; reversed.
6. noting or pertaining to printed matter in which what is normally white, as the page of a book, appears as black, and vice versa.
–noun
7. the opposite or contrary of something.
8. the back or rear of anything.
9. Numismatics.
a. the side of a coin, medal, etc., that does not bear the principal design (opposed to obverse ).
b. the side of an ancient coin that was struck by the upper die.
10. an adverse change of fortune; a misfortune, check, or defeat: to meet with an unexpected reverse.
11. Machinery.
a. the condition of being reversed: to throw an engine into reverse.
b. a reversing mechanism.
12. Football. a play on offense in which one back running laterally hands the ball to another back who is running in the opposite direction and who then makes either an end run or a cutback.
13. Bridge. reverse bid.
14. Printing. printed matter in which areas that normally appear as white are printed in black, and vice versa.
–verb (used with object)
15. to turn in an opposite position; transpose: The printer accidently reversed two chapters of the book.
16. to turn in the opposite direction; send on the opposite course.
17. to turn inside out or upside down.
18. to change the direction of running of (a mechanism).
19. to cause (a mechanism) to run in a direction opposite to that in which it commonly runs.
20. to revoke or annul (a decree, judgment, etc.): to reverse a verdict.
21. to alter to the opposite in character or tendency; change completely.
22. to turn in the opposite order: to reverse the process of evolution.
23. Printing. to print as a reverse.
–verb (used without object)
24. to shift into reverse gear: The driver drove forward, then reversed.
25. (of a mechanism) to be reversed.
26. to turn or move in the opposite or contrary direction, as in dancing.
27. Bridge. to make a reverse bid.

Origin:
1275–1325; (n.) ME revers < OF < L reversus, ptp. of revertere to revert (see verse ); (v.) ME reversen < OF reverser < LL reversāre, freq. of revertere


re⋅vers⋅ed⋅ly [ri-vur-sid-lee, -vurst-lee] , adverb
re⋅verse⋅ly, adverb
re⋅vers⋅er, noun


1. converse. See opposite. 7. converse, counterpart. 10. mishap, misadventure, affliction. 15, 17. Reverse, invert agree in meaning to change into a contrary position, order, or relation. To reverse is to place or move something so that it is facing in the opposite direction from the one faced previously: to reverse from right to left; to reverse a decision. To invert is to turn upside down: to invert a stamp in printing; to invert a bowl over a plate. 20. repeal, veto, countermand, rescind, overthrow.


1. same.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To reverse
re·verse   (rĭ-vûrs')   
adj.  
    1. Turned backward in position, direction, or order.

    2. Having the back showing or in view of the observer.

  1. Moving, acting, or organized in a manner contrary to the usual.

  2. Causing backward movement: a reverse gear.

  3. Printing Printed in such a way that the normally colored part appears white against a colored or black background.

n.  
  1. The opposite or contrary: All along we thought Sue was older than Bill, but just the reverse was true.

    1. The back or rear part.

    2. The side of a coin or medal that does not carry the principal design; the verso.

    3. A mechanism, such as a gear in a motor vehicle, that is used to reverse movement.

    4. The position or operating condition of such a mechanism.

    5. Movement in an opposite direction.

  2. A change to an opposite position, condition, or direction.

  3. A change in fortune from better to worse; a setback: suffered financial reverses.

    1. A mechanism, such as a gear in a motor vehicle, that is used to reverse movement.

    2. The position or operating condition of such a mechanism.

    3. Movement in an opposite direction.

  4. Football An offensive play in which a back running in one direction executes a handoff to a back running in the opposite direction.

v.   re·versed, re·vers·ing, re·vers·es

v.   tr.
  1. To turn around to the opposite direction.

  2. To turn inside out or upside down.

  3. To exchange the positions of; transpose.

  4. Law To revoke or annul (a decision or decree, for example).

    1. To cause to adopt a contrary viewpoint.

    2. To change to the opposite: reversed their planned course of action.

  5. To cause (an engine or a mechanism) to function in reverse.

v.   intr.
  1. To turn or move in the opposite direction.

  2. To reverse the action of an engine.


[Middle English revers, from Old French, from Latin reversus, past participle of revertere, to turn back; see revert.]
re·verse'ly adv., re·vers'er n.
Synonyms: These verbs mean to change to the opposite position, direction, or course. Reverse implies a complete turning about to a contrary position: reversed the placement of the sofa and chairs.
To invert is basically to turn something upside down or inside out, but the term may imply placing something in a reverse order: inverted the glass; invert subject and verb to form an interrogative.
Transpose applies to altering position in a sequence by reversing or changing the order: often misspells receive by transposing the e and the i.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Financial Dictionary

reverse

See reverse repurchase agreement.

Wall Street Words: An A to Z Guide to Investment Terms by David L. Scott.
Copyright © 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: re·verse
Function: verb
Inflected Forms: re·versed; re·vers·ing
transitive verb : to set aside or make void (a judgment or decision) by a contrary decision —compare AFFIRM intransitive verb : to reverse a decision or judgment reverse> —re·ver·si·ble adjective
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: re·verse
Pronunciation: ri-'v&rs
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Forms: re·versed; re·vers·ing
: to change drastically or completely the course or effect of: as a : to initiate recovery from <reverse a disease> b : to make of no effect or asif not done <reverse a surgical procedure>
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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