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reverse definition

re·verse (ri vʉrs)

adjective

    1. turned backward; opposite or contrary, as in position, direction, order, etc.
    2. with the back showing or in view
  1. reversing the usual effect so as to show white letters, etc. on a black background
  2. acting or moving in a way or direction opposite or contrary to the usual
  3. causing movement backward or in the opposite direction reverse gear

Etymology: ME revers < OFr < L reversus, pp. of revertere: see revert

noun

  1. the opposite or contrary of something
  2. the back or rear of something; specif., the side, as of a coin or medal, that does not have the main design
  3. the act or an instance of reversing; change to the opposite
  4. a change from good fortune to bad; defeat, check, or misfortune
  5. a mechanism, etc. for reversing, as a gear arrangement in a transmission that causes a machine, motor vehicle, etc. to run backward or in the opposite direction
  6. a reversing movement
  7. Football a type of play in which a ball carrier running toward a sideline gives the ball to a teammate going the opposite way

transitive verb reversed -·versed′, reversing -·vers′·ing

  1. to turn backward, in an opposite position or direction, upside down, or inside out
  2. to change to the opposite; alter completely
  3. to cause to go or move backward or in an opposite direction
  4. to exchange or transpose
  5. to transfer (the charges for a telephone call) to the party being called
  6. Law to revoke or annul (a decision, judgment, etc.)

intransitive verb

  1. to move, go, or turn backward or in the opposite direction
  2. to put a motor, engine, etc. in reverse; reverse the action of a mechanism

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:
reverse Synonyms

reverse

modif.

opposite, contrary, backward, mirror; see opposite 1, reversed. See syn. study at opposite.


reverse

n.

  1. The opposite

    converse, other side, contrary; see opposite.

  2. A change from good fortune to bad

    vanquishment, catastrophe, setback, check; see defeat 2, misfortune 1, 2.


reverse

v.

  1. To turn

    go back, shift, invert; see turn 2.

  2. To alter

    turn around, modify, convert; see change 1.

  3. To annul

    nullify, invalidate, repeal; see cancel 2.

  4. To exchange

    transpose, rearrange, shift; see exchange 1.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

reverse Usage Examples

Object

  • trend: What do we need to do to reverse the trend of the last 50 years?

Converse of object

  • argue: Many people like to argue the reverse, but do squirrels live in trees?

Modifies a noun

  • transcriptase: Reverse transcriptase is an important enzyme used in making new virus.

Noun used with modifier

  • nucleoside: These are all drugs known as nucleoside analogs, nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors ( NRTIs ).

Used with why or when

  • when: No, you didn't secretly reverse when you mixed the three cards!

Preposition: of

  • check: Please write your order reference and name on the reverse of the check.
reverse usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

reverse quotes

And all their lives, like that, they'll have to rush Forwards in reverse, always holding their caps.

-Dunn, Douglas Eaglesham

The creed which accepts as the foundation of morals, Utility, or the Greatest Happiness Principle, holds that actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to producethe reverse of happiness.

-Mill,John Stuart

Where is the antique glory now become, What whilom wont in women to appear? Where be the brave achievements doen by some? Where be the battles, where the shield and spear, And all the conquests, which them high did rear, That matter made for famous poet's verse, And boastful men so oft abashed to hear? Bene theyall dead, and laid in doleful hearse? Or doen they only sleep, and shall again reverse?

-Spenser, Edmund

reverse quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"reverse." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/reverse>

APA Style

reverse. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/reverse

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