Reverse
WordNet
adjective
(1) Reversed (turned backward) in order or nature or effect
(2) Directed or moving toward the rear
"A rearward glance"
"A rearward movement"
(3) Of the transmission gear causing backward movement in a motor vehicle
"In reverse gear"
noun
(4) Turning in the opposite direction
(5) (American football) a running play in which a back running in one direction hands the ball to a back running in the opposite direction
(6) The gears by which the motion of a machine can be reversed
(7) The side of a coin or medal that does not bear the principal design
(8) An unfortunate happening that hinders or impedes; something that is thwarting or frustrating
(9) A relation of direct opposition
"We thought Sue was older than Bill but just the reverse was true"
verb
(10) Change to the contrary
"The trend was reversed"
"The tides turned against him"
"Public opinion turned when it was revealed that the president had an affair with a White House intern"
(11) Turn inside out or upside down
(12) Rule against
"The Republicans were overruled when the House voted on the bill"
(13) Annul by recalling or rescinding
"He revoked the ban on smoking"
"Lift an embargo"
"Vacate a death sentence"
WiktionaryText
Etymology
From , from (past participle of )
Adjective
- Having the order of its constituents moved backwards in time or space.
- We ate the meal in reverse order with the dessert first and ending with the starter.
- The mirror showed us a reverse view of the scene.
- Causing movement in the opposite direction.
- He selected reverse gear.
- to be in the non-default position; to be set for the lesser-used route.
Noun
- The opposite of front.
- The opposite of forward.
- The gear setting of an automobile that makes it travel backwards.
- The tails side of a coin, or the side of a medal or badge that is opposite the obverse.
Verb
- To turn something around such that it faces in the opposite direction.
- To turn something inside out or upside down.
- To transpose the positions of two things.
- To revoke a law, or to change a decision into its opposite.
- To cause a mechanism or a vehicle to operate or move in the opposite direction.
- To change the direction of a reaction such that the products become the reactants and vice-versa.
- To place a set of points in the reverse position
- to move from the normal position to the reverse position