First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1reverse
adjective re·verse \ri-ˈvərs\
: opposite to what is usual or stated
: opposite to the front
Full Definition of REVERSE
1
a : opposite or contrary to a previous or normal condition <reverse order> b (1) : having the back presented to the observer or opponent (2) : made with one's back to the basketball net <a reverse layup>
2
: coming from the rear of a military force
3
: acting, operating, or arranged in a manner contrary to the usual
4
: effecting reverse movement <reverse gear>
5
: so made that the part which normally prints in color appears white against a colored background
— re·verse·ly adverb
See reverse defined for English-language learners
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Origin of REVERSE
Middle English revers, from Anglo-French, from Latin reversus, past participle of revertere to turn back — more at revert
2reverse
verb
: to change (something) to an opposite state or condition
: to cause (something, such as a process) to stop or return to an earlier state
: to change the order or position of (two things or a series)
re·versedre·vers·ing
Full Definition of REVERSE
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
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
See reverse defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of REVERSE
14th century
Related to REVERSE
- Synonyms
- switch
Synonym Discussion of REVERSE
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>.
3reverse
noun
the reverse : something that is opposite to something else
the reverse : the back side of a coin, document, etc.
: a change that makes something worse
Full Definition of REVERSE
1
: something directly contrary to something else : opposite
3
: the back part of something; especially : the side of a coin or currency note that is opposite the obverse
4
a (1) : a gear that reverses something; also : the whole mechanism brought into play when such a gear is used (2) : movement in reverse b : an offensive play in football in which a back moving in one direction gives the ball to a player moving in the opposite direction
— in reverse
: in an opposite manner or direction
See reverse defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of REVERSE
14th century
REVERSING Defined for Kids
1reverse
adjective re·verse \ri-ˈvərs\
Definition of REVERSE for Kids
1
: opposite to a previous, normal, or usual condition <reverse order>
2
: opposite to the front <the reverse side>
2reverse
verb
re·versedre·vers·ing
Definition of REVERSE for Kids
1
: to turn completely around or upside down or inside out <The jacket reverses.>
2
: to change the order or position of <Reverse the vowels to correctly spell the word.>
3
: to change or cause to change to an opposite or former state, condition, or view <The court reversed a decision.>
4
: to go or cause to go in the opposite direction
3reverse
noun
Definition of REVERSE for Kids
1
: something opposite to something else : contrary <The river flows west to east, not the reverse.>
2
: an act or instance of changing to an opposite or former state, condition, view, or direction <a reverse of plans>
3
: the back part of something <the reverse of a coin>
4
: a gear that reverses something <Put the car in reverse.>
Medical Dictionary
reverse
transitive verb re·verse \ri-ˈvərs\
re·versedre·vers·ing
Medical Definition of REVERSE
: 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 as if not done <reverse a surgical procedure>
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