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inversive
Variant of inversion
inversion
definition
in·ver·sion (in vʉr′z̸hən, -s̸hən)
noun
- an inverting or being inverted
- something inverted; reversal
- Chem.
- a chemical change in which an optically active substance is converted into another substance having no effect, or the opposite rotatory effects, on the plane of polarization
- the conversion of an isomeric compound to its opposite
- Gram., Rhetoric a reversal of the normal order of words in a sentence (Ex.: “said he” for “he said”)
- Math.
- the process of using an opposite rule or method
- an interchange of the terms of a ratio
- Meteorol. an atmospheric condition in which the normal properties of layers of air are reversed; esp., a temperature reversal in which a layer of warm air traps cooler air near the surface of the earth, preventing the normal rising of surface air
- Music
- the reversal of the position of the tones in an interval or chord, as by raising the lower tone by an octave, etc.
- the recurrence of a theme, fugue subject, motive, or figure in identical intervals and note values, but consistently in the opposite direction
- Phonet. a position of the tongue in which the tip is turned upward and backward
- Psychiatry homosexuality: now seldom used
Etymology: L inversio < inversus, pp. of invertere
Related Forms:
- inversive in·ver′·sive adjective
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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