Function: verb
Inflected Form: re · versed ; re · vers · ing
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1 a : to turn completely about in position or direction b : to turn upside down : INVERT c : to cause to take an opposite point of view < reversed herself on the issue>
2 : NEGATE , UNDO : as a : to overthrow, set aside, or make void (a legal decision) by a contrary decision b : to change to the contrary < reverse a policy> c : to undo or negate the effect of (as a condition or surgical operation) <had his vasectomy reversed >
3 : to cause to go in the opposite direction especially : to cause (as an engine) to perform its action in the opposite direction
intransitive verb
1 : to turn or move in the opposite direction <the count's waltzing ⋯ consisted ⋯ of reversing at top speed ― Agatha Christie>
2 : to put a mechanism (as an engine) in reverse
– re · vers · er noun
– reverse field or reverse one's field : to make a sudden reversal in direction or opinion
synonyms REVERSE , TRANSPOSE , INVERT mean to change to the opposite position. REVERSE is the most general term and may imply change in order, side, direction, meaning < reversed his position on the trade agreement>. TRANSPOSE implies a change in order or relative position of units often through exchange of position < transposed the letters to form an anagram>. INVERT applies chiefly to turning upside down or inside out <a stamp with an inverted picture of an airplane>.