# reverse

Pronunciation: say "ri-VURS" US /ɹɪˈvɝs/, UK /ɹɪˈvɜːs/

## Adjective

1. Facing or moving in the opposite direction; contrary to the usual order or arrangement.
   - Simple: Facing or moving the opposite way to what is normal or expected.
   - _The motor spun in the reverse direction once the wires were swapped._
   - _Players took their turns in reverse sequence after the rule change._
8. Of an engine or a vehicle's movement, going in the direction opposite to the usual one.
   - Simple: Describing engine or vehicle movement that goes backward instead of forward.
   - _The ferry used reverse thrust to ease against the pier._
   - _A reverse gear lets the tractor pull back from the ditch._
22. Of railway points or signals, set in the non-default position, directing trains onto the lesser-used route.
   - Simple: Of railway points, set to the less-used track instead of the normal one.
   - _With the points reverse, the express was diverted onto the loop line._
   - _The diagram showed the junction set reverse for the goods train._
25. In botany, having the parts turned in the opposite direction from the usual arrangement; reversed.
   - Simple: In plants, turned the opposite way from normal, or flipped around.
   - _Botanists noted the reverse orientation of the leaf veins._
   - _In some species the markings appear reverse compared to their relatives._
26. In genetics, denoting a process in which complementary DNA is synthesized from an RNA template.
   - Simple: In genetics, describing a process that builds DNA from an RNA pattern.
   - _The reverse reaction copies the virus's RNA genome into DNA inside the host cell._
   - _Researchers ran a reverse transcription to make cDNA from the messenger RNA._

## Verb

2. To turn something around so that it faces the opposite way or proceeds in the opposite order.
   - Simple: To turn something around so it faces or runs the other way.
   - _The editor reversed the chapters so the ending came first._
   - _Engineers can reverse the pump's flow with a single switch._
4. To cause a mechanism or vehicle to operate or move in the direction opposite to normal, especially driving backward.
   - Simple: To make a machine or vehicle move in the opposite direction to normal.
   - _The driver reversed the bus into the depot bay._
   - _Carefully reverse until the trailer lines up with the hitch._
5. To change something totally; to alter it to the opposite.
   - Simple: To change something completely into its opposite.
   - _Sustained therapy reversed decades of damage to the lake's ecosystem._
   - _Better evidence can reverse a scientist's earlier conclusion._
7. To revoke a law, or to overturn a decision so that it becomes its opposite.
   - Simple: To cancel a law, or to change a decision into its opposite.
   - _The appeals court reversed the conviction on procedural grounds._
   - _An appellate panel can reverse a trial judge's verdict._
11. To turn something so that it is inside out or upside down.
   - Simple: To turn something inside out, or to flip it upside down.
   - _He reversed the jacket so the lining faced outward._
   - _Reverse the mold to release the cake onto the plate._
12. To transpose the positions of two things, so each takes the other's place.
   - Simple: To swap the positions of two things.
   - _The typist reversed the first and last names by mistake._
   - _Reverse the two middle columns and the table reads correctly._
15. To overthrow or undermine something established, such as an authority or a settled order.
   - Simple: To bring down or destroy something, such as a government or a plan.
   - _The conspirators plotted to reverse the emperor's authority entirely._
   - _A single scandal can reverse decades of carefully built power._
16. Short form of reverse-engineer. — Ellipsis of reverse-engineer.
   - Simple: Short form of reverse-engineer. It means to take something apart to learn how it works.
   - _Engineers were able to reverse the encrypted protocol after months of analysis._
   - _The startup tried to reverse a rival's algorithm from its observable behavior._
17. To change the direction of a chemical reaction so that the products become the reactants and the reactants become products.
   - Simple: To make a chemical reaction go backward, so the products turn back into the starting materials.
   - _Chemists can reverse the reaction by increasing the pressure on the system._
   - _Removing heat reverses the synthesis, regenerating the original compounds._
21. To engage reverse thrust on an aircraft engine, redirecting its output forward to slow the plane.
   - Simple: To turn on the backward thrust of an aircraft engine to help slow it down.
   - _The captain reversed both engines to bring the heavy jet to a stop._
   - _Crews are trained to reverse the engines smoothly to avoid stressing the airframe._
23. To place a set of railway points in the reverse position, directing trains onto the diverging route.
   - Simple: To set a railway switch to the less-used track position.
   - _The operator reversed the points to route the freight into the yard._
   - _Pull the lever to reverse the points for the branch line._
24. Of railway points, to move from the normal position into the reverse position.
   - Simple: Of railway points, to move from the normal setting to the less-used one.
   - _The points reverse automatically as the signal clears for the loop._
   - _Once the route is set, the points reverse and lock into place._

## Noun

3. The gear setting of a car that makes it travel backward, marked R on the shifter.
   - Simple: The gear setting that makes a car move backward.
   - _She shifted into reverse and eased out of the tight parking space._
   - _The gearbox slipped out of reverse halfway up the ramp._
6. The opposite of something; the contrary.
   - Simple: The complete opposite of something.
   - _The outcome proved to be the reverse of every prediction._
   - _His public confidence was the reverse of his private doubts._
9. The back or other side of something, facing away from the viewer or from what counts as its front.
   - Simple: The back side of something, the part facing away from you.
   - _The artist's signature appears on the reverse of the canvas._
   - _Detailed assembly instructions are printed on the reverse._
10. The back face of a coin, medal, or badge, corresponding to tails on a coin.
   - Simple: The 'tails' side of a coin, opposite the side with the main face.
   - _The commemorative coin's reverse depicts a sailing ship._
   - _Collectors noted unusual wear on the reverse of the medal._
13. The act of going backward; a reversal of direction.
   - Simple: The act of going backward.
   - _A sharp reverse of the convoy left the rear vehicles exposed._
   - _The skater finished with a smooth reverse across the rink._
14. An instance of misfortune; a setback.
   - Simple: A piece of bad luck, or a setback.
   - _The company weathered a string of financial reverses last year._
   - _His career survived an early reverse that would have ended others'._
18. In graph theory, the directed graph obtained from another by reversing the direction of every edge; a synonym of the transpose.
   - Simple: A graph that is just like another but with every arrow flipped to point the opposite way.
   - _Computing the reverse of the directed graph swaps the roles of sources and sinks._
   - _Each edge in the reverse points opposite to its counterpart in the original graph._
19. In fencing, a thrust made with a backward turn of the hand; a backhanded stroke.
   - Simple: In fencing, a hit made by turning the hand backward, a kind of backhanded strike.
   - _The fencer landed a clean reverse just below her opponent's guard._
   - _A well-timed reverse can slip past a defender expecting a straight thrust._
20. In bandaging, a turn or fold by which the direction of the bandage is changed.
   - Simple: In bandaging, a turn or fold that changes the direction the bandage is going.
   - _A careful reverse lets the dressing follow the curve of the calf._
   - _She tucked in a reverse so the bandage would not bunch at the wrist._

## Adverb

27. In the opposite direction; backward, or upside-down. *(archaic)*
   - Simple: In a backward direction, or upside down.
   - _The letters were graven reverse, so they read true only in a mirror._
   - _The pennants flew reverse above the tower, a sign of mourning._

## Verb

28. To return; to come back to a place or state. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: To come back or return to a place.
29. To turn away; to cause someone or something to depart. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: To make someone or something go away or depart.

## Other meanings

- (adjective) Turned upside down, or thrown into a state of great disturbance.
- (verb) To bring someone or something back, or call it back.

## Origin

**Meanings 1, 3, 6, 8–10, 13–14, 18–20, 22, 25–27** — From Middle English revers, via Anglo-Norman and Middle French revers, from Latin reversus, the perfect passive participle of reversō, formed from re- plus versō. It is a doublet of revers.
**Meanings 2, 4–5, 7, 11–12, 15–17, 21, 23–24, 28–29** — From Middle English reversen, via Anglo-Norman reverser and Middle French reverser, from Latin reversō, formed from re- plus versō.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/reverse (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).