- reverse
- re•verse[[t]rɪˈvɜrs[/t]] adj. n. v. -versed, -vers•ing1) opposite or contrary in position, direction, order, or character2) with the back or rear part toward the observer:the reverse side of a fabric[/ex]3) mac mec pertaining to or producing movement in a mechanism opposite to that made under ordinary running conditions:reverse gear[/ex]4) acting in a manner opposite or contrary to that which is usual5) of or pertaining to an image like that seen in a mirror; backward; reversed6) of or designating printed matter in which what is normally white, as the page, appears as black, and vice versa7) the opposite or contrary of something8) the back or rear of anything9) num the side of a coin, medal, etc., that does not bear the principal design(opposed to obverse ).10) an adverse change of fortune; a misfortune, check, or defeat11)a) mac the condition of being reversed:to put an engine into reverse[/ex]b) mac a reversing mechanism12) spo a football play on offense in which one back running laterally hands the ball to another back who is running in the opposite direction13) pri printed matter in which areas that normally appear as white are black, and vice versa14) to turn in an opposite position; transpose15) to turn in the opposite direction; send on the opposite course16) to turn in the opposite order:to reverse a process[/ex]17) to turn inside out or upside down18) to change the direction of running of (a mechanism)19) mac to cause (a mechanism) to run in a direction opposite to that in which it ordinarily runs20) to revoke or annul (a decree, judgment, etc.):to reverse a verdict[/ex]21) to alter to the opposite in character or tendency; change completely22) to have (the charges for a telephone call) billed to the recipient23) to shift into reverse gear24) (of a mechanism) to be reversed25) to turn or move in the opposite or contrary direction•Etymology: 1275–1325; (n.) ME revers < OF < L reversus, ptp. of revertere to revert; (v.) ME < OF reverser < LL reversāre, freq. of revertere re•verse′ly, adv. re•vers′er, n.
From formal English to slang. 2014.