I. rə̇ˈvərs, rēˈ-, -və̄s, -vəis adjective
Etymology: Middle English revers, from Middle French, from Latin reversus, past participle of revertere to turn back — more at revert
1.
a. : turned back : opposite or contrary to one another or to a thing specified
came back in the reverse order
b. : having the back presented to the observer or opponent — opposed to obverse
2. obsolete : backhanded
a reverse blow
reverse thrust
3. : relating to, facing, or commanding the rear of a military force
4. : acting or operating in opposite or contrary fashion especially to what is usual
5. : effecting reverse movement or operation
a reverse gear
6.
a.
(1) : so made that the part of a print normally black is white and vice versa
a reverse photoengraving
(2) : flopped
b. : constituting a mirror image
the reverse symbols ☞ and ☜
a reverse positive image
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English reversen, from Middle French reverser, from Late Latin reversare to turn round, freq. of Latin revertere to turn back
transitive verb
1. obsolete : to cause to return
2. obsolete : overthrow , subvert
3. : to turn completely about in position or direction : change to the opposite as regards position : transpose
a picture reversed in reproduction
4. : to turn upside down : invert
reversing his glass as a signal that he would drink no more
5. : annul: as
a. : to overthrow (a legal decision) by a contrary decision : make void (as for error)
the higher court may reverse the judgment
b. : to take an opposite stand from that formerly held by (oneself) — usually used with about or over
reversed himself about the superiority of mother's cooking
c. : to change to the contrary in character or trend
reverse a policy
6. : to cause to go or move in the opposite direction
reverse the flow of a stream
especially : to cause (as an engine or machine) to perform its revolutions or action in the opposite direction
7.
a. : to use (as a tool) or do (as an experiment) in the opposite way
b. : to produce by or use in reverse printing
reversed plates
reversing lettering into a color panel
intransitive verb
1. obsolete
a. : to draw or move back : turn away : recoil
b. : to fall down : turn over
c. : return
2. : to alter or revoke a decision (as on a point of law)
3. : to turn or move in the opposite direction (as in waltzing) : become reversed
4. : to put a mechanism (as an engine or a machine) in reverse
5. : to make a reverse bid in bridge
Synonyms: see revoke
III. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English revers, from Middle French, from revers, adjective
1. : something that is directly opposite or contrary to something else : contrary , opposite
hoped for a sunny day but the fact was just the reverse
— often followed by of or to
the reverse of good luck
2. obsolete : a backhanded thrust, cut, or stroke (as with a sword)
3. : an act or instance of reversing: as
a. : a turning completely about (as in dancing) : a complete change or reversal
an unexpected reverse of plans
b. : a change from better to worse : misfortune , check , defeat — often used in plural
meet with heavy reverses
4.
a. : matter that appears or is presented when something is reverted or is turned or viewed oppositely to the position or direction in which it is ordinarily seen
the reverse of a leaf
b. : the side of a coin, token, medal, seal, or currency note that is considered the back
c. : the back of a book leaf : verso
d. : an inverted utterance (as a phrase or sentence)
e. : something (as a negative or lettering) produced by or used in reverse printing
5. : the rear of a military force
6.
a.
(1) : a gear that reverses something ; also : the mechanical train brought into play when such a gear is used
something out of order in the reverse
put the transmission in reverse
(2) : movement or course in reverse
b. : a turn or fold made in bandaging by which the direction of the bandage is changed
c. : an offensive play in football in which a back moving in one direction passes or hands the ball to a player moving in the opposite direction
7. : reverse bid
Synonyms: see converse
•
- in reverse
IV. adverb
Etymology: Middle English revers, from revers, adjective
: so as to oppose : reversely
acted reverse to his own best interest