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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
  2. reversing the usual effect so as to show white letters, etc. on a black background
  3. acting or moving in a way or direction opposite or contrary to the usual
  4. 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 -·versed′, -·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

reverse Related Forms

re·verse′ly adverb re·vers′er noun

reverse Synonyms

reverse

modif.

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

reverse Synonyms

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 Synonyms

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.

reverse Usage Examples

Object

  • trend: What do we need to do to reverse the trend of the last 50 years?
  • decline: They have reversed the previous decline in road deaths.
  • polarity: By reversing the polarity of the voltage, the atoms can be re-deposited anywhere on the silicon surface.
  • ageism: Break down the barriers to reverse ageism - part 2 of 2 by Sally Greengross What are the possible solutions?
  • burden: Clause 10 infringes the right to a fair trial by reversing the burden of proof.
  • tide: Even King Canute was not so deluded as to think he could actually reverse the tide.

Converse of object

  • argue: Many people like to argue the reverse, but do squirrels live in trees?
  • suffer: Chipping Norton Town suffered a 3-1 reverse from promoted Hounslow Boro with Ryan OâToole netting twice.

Modifies a noun

  • transcriptase: Reverse transcriptase is an important enzyme used in making new virus.
  • osmosis: Reverse Osmosis works using water pressure, water is forced through a semi permeable fabric, also known as the membrane.
  • takeover: A reverse takeover and a separate placing have been completed by Charles Russell's Corporate Finance department for one client in the same week.
  • lookup: Therefore, an option exists which allows a special header to be placed inside all messages which do not pass a reverse lookup.
  • inhibitor: Reverse transcriptase inhibitors have been available for many years now, but protease inhibitors are new.
  • gear: In 1904 wheel steering and a reverse gear were offered together with 3 cylinder models of 1.4 and 2.4 liters.

Noun used with modifier

  • nucleoside: These are all drugs known as nucleoside analogs, nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors ( NRTIs ).
  • tumble: A conventional tumble reverse mechanism took the drive from the headstock spindle to the gearbox drive train.
  • shield: Shield Reverse The shield reverse was last used for Queen Victoria from 1838 to 1887 inclusive.

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.
  • photograph: The men are identified on the reverse of the photograph: .