GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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Found 4 definitions 

  1.       

    Reverse , a. [OE. revers, OF. revers, L. reversus, p. p. of revertere. See Revert.]
    1. Turned backward; having a contrary or opposite direction; hence; opposite or contrary in kind; as, the reverse order or method. “A vice reverse unto this.”  
      Gower.

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    2. Turned upside down; greatly disturbed. [Obs.]
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      He found the sea diverse
      With many a windy storm reverse.
      Gower.

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    3. (Bot. & Zool.) Reversed; as, a reverse shell.
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      Reverse bearing (Surv.), the bearing of a back station as observed from the station next in advance. -- Reverse curve (Railways), a curve like the letter S, formed of two curves bending in opposite directions. -- Reverse fire (Mil.), a fire in the rear. -- Reverse operation (Math.), an operation the steps of which are taken in a contrary order to that in which the same or similar steps are taken in another operation considered as direct; an operation in which that is sought which in another operation is given, and that given which in the other is sought; as, finding the length of a pendulum from its time of vibration is the reverse operation to finding the time of vibration from the length.
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  2.       

    Reverse , n. [Cf. F. revers. See Reverse, a.]
    1. That which appears or is presented when anything, as a lance, a line, a course of conduct, etc., is reverted or turned contrary to its natural direction.
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      He did so with the reverse of the lance.
      Sir W. Scott.

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    2. That which is directly opposite or contrary to something else; a contrary; an opposite.
      Chaucer.

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      And then mistook reverse of wrong for right.
      Pope.

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      To make everything the reverse of what they have seen, is quite as easy as to destroy.
      Burke.

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    3. The act of reversing; complete change; reversal; hence, total change in circumstances or character; especially, a change from better to worse; misfortune; a check or defeat; as, the enemy met with a reverse.
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      The strange reverse of fate you see;
      I pitied you, now you may pity me.
      Dryden.

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      By a reverse of fortune, Stephen becomes rich.
      Lamb.

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    4. The back side; as, the reverse of a drum or trench; the reverse of a medal or coin, that is, the side opposite to the obverse. See Obverse.
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    5. A thrust in fencing made with a backward turn of the hand; a backhanded stroke. [Obs.]
      Shak.

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    6. (Surg.) A turn or fold made in bandaging, by which the direction of the bandage is changed.
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  3.       

    Reverse, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Reversed ;p. pr. & vb. n. Reversing.] [See Reverse, a., and cf. Revert.]
    1. To turn back; to cause to face in a contrary direction; to cause to depart.
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      And that old dame said many an idle verse,
      Out of her daughter's heart fond fancies to reverse.
      Spenser.

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    2. To cause to return; to recall. [Obs.]
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      And to his fresh remembrance did reverse
      The ugly view of his deformed crimes.
      Spenser.

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    3. To change totally; to alter to the opposite.
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      Reverse the doom of death.
      Shak.

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      She reversed the conduct of the celebrated vicar of Bray.
      Sir W. Scott.

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    4. To turn upside down; to invert.
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      A pyramid reversed may stand upon his point if balanced by admirable skill.
      Sir W. Temple.

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    5. Hence, to overthrow; to subvert.
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      These can divide, and these reverse, the state.
      Pope.

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      Custom . . . reverses even the distinctions of good and evil.
      Rogers.

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    6. (Law) To overthrow by a contrary decision; to make void; to under or annual for error; as, to reverse a judgment, sentence, or decree.
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      Reverse arms (Mil.), a position of a soldier in which the piece passes between the right elbow and the body at an angle of 45°, and is held as in the illustration. -- To reverse an engine or To reverse a machine, to cause it to perform its revolutions or action in the opposite direction.
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      Syn. -- To overturn; overset; invert; overthrow; subvert; repeal; annul; revoke; undo.
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  4.       

    Reverse, v. i.
    1. To return; to revert. [Obs.]
      Spenser.

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    2. To become or be reversed.
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