Definition of reverse
(Entry 1 of 3)
1a
: opposite or contrary to a previous or normal condition
reverse order
b(1)
: having the back presented to the observer or opponent
(2)
: made with one's back to the basketball net
a reverse layup
2
: coming from the rear of a military force
3
: acting, operating, or arranged in a manner contrary to the usual
4
: effecting reverse movement
reverse gear
5
: so made that the part which normally prints in color appears white against a colored background
reverse
verb
reversed; reversing
Definition of reverse (Entry 2 of 3)
1a
: to turn completely about in position or direction
b
: to turn upside down : invert
c
: to cause to take an opposite point of view
reversed herself on the issue
a
: to overthrow, set aside, or make void (a legal decision) by a contrary decision
b
: to change to the contrary
reverse a policy
c
: to undo or negate the effect of (something, such as a condition or surgical operation)
had his vasectomy reversed
3
: to cause to go in the opposite direction
especially
: to cause (something, such as an engine) to perform its action in the opposite direction
1
: to turn or move in the opposite direction
the count's waltzing … consisted … of reversing at top speed— Agatha Christie
2
: to put a mechanism (such as an engine) in reverse
reverse
nounDefinition of reverse (Entry 3 of 3)
1
: something directly contrary to something else : opposite
3
: the back part of something
especially
: the side of a coin or currency note that is opposite the obverse
4a(1)
: a gear that reverses something
also
: the whole mechanism brought into play when such a gear is used
(2)
: movement in reverse
b
: an offensive play in football in which a back moving in one direction gives the ball to a player moving in the opposite direction
in reverse
: in an opposite manner or direction
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for reverse
The first known use of reverse was in the 14th century
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