reverse 
Beene they all dead, and laide in doleful! herse, 
Or doen they finely sleepe, and shall againe reverse' 
Spenser, F. ()., III. iv. 1. 
reverse (re-vers'), a. and . [< ME. reverse, re- 
vers, < OF. revers, reverse, cross (as a noun re- 
fers, a back blow), = Pr. revers = Sp. Pg. re- 
verso = It. riverso, < L. rerersus, turned back, 
reversed, pp. of revertere, turn back, reverse: 
see revert.] I. a. I. Turned backward; oppo- 
site or contrary in position or direction; re- 
versed : as, the reverse end of a lance ; reverse 
curves; reverse motion. 
The sword 
Of Michael, . . . with swift wheel reverse, deep entering, 
shared 
All his right side. Milton, P. L., vi. 326. 
Two points are said to be reverse of each other, with 
reference to two fixed origins and two fixed axes, when 
the line through the first origin and the first point meets 
the first axis at the point where the line through the sec- 
ond origin and the second point meets the same axis, 
while the line through the first origin and the second 
point meets the second axis at the same point where the 
line through the second origin and the first point meets 
the same axis. 
2. Contrary or opposite in nature, effects, or 
relations : as, a reverse order or method. 
A vice revers unto this. Gower, Conf. Amant., ii. 
He was troubled with a disease reverse to that called 
the stinging of the tarantula, and would run dog-mad at 
the noise of music. Swift, Tale of a Tub, xi. 
3f. Overturned; overthrown. 
Whan the kynge that was called le roy de Cent Chiua- 
lers saugh the kynge Tradelyuaunt reuerse to the erthe, 
he was right wroth, for he hym loved with grete love. 
5137 
6. In nionix., the back or inferior side of a coin 
or medal, as opposed to the obverse, the face 
See cuts under numismatics, pie*>, 
abbreviated Rev. or J 
and pistole. 
.\ reverse often clears up the passage of an old poet as ' ' a ! ly otller transformation of energy, fon 
the poet often serves to unriddle a reverse. aggregation, etc. See reversible process, below. 
reversion 
riversibile; as reverse + -ihlr.~] I. n. Capable 
of being reversed. Specifically (a) Admitting, as a 
process, of change so that all the successive positions shall 
be reached in the contrary order and in the same intervals 
of time ; thus, if the first process converts heat into work 
the second converts work into heat, and the like will lie 
true of any other transformation of energy, form, state of 
Addison, Ancient Medals, i. 
7. In her., the exact contrary of what has been 
described just before as an escutcheon or a 
quartering. An early form of heraldic difference is the 
giving to a younger branch the reverse of the arms of the 
elder branch : thus, if the original escutcheon is argent a 
chevron gules, a younger son takes the reverse, namely 
gules a chevron argent. 
reversed (re-versf), p. a. I. Turned in a con- 
trary or opposite position, direction, order, or 
state to that which is normal or usual; reverse ; 
upside down; inside out; hind part before. 
In all superstition wise men follow fools ; and argu- 
ments are fitted to practice in a reversed order. 
Bacon, Superstition. 
And on the gibbet tree reversed 
His foeman's scutcheon tied. 
Scott, Marmion, i. 12. 
2. Made void; overthrown or annulled: as, 
a reversed judgment or decree. 3. In geol., 
noting strata which have been so completely 
overturned by crust-movements that older beds 
Although work can be transformed into heat with the 
greatest ease, there is no process known by which all the 
heat can be changed back again into work ; ... in fact, 
the process is not a reversible one. 
W. L. Carpenter, Energy in Nature (1st ed.), p. 66. 
(6) Admitting of legal reversal or annulment. 
If the Judgement be given by him that hath authority, 
and it be erroneous, it was at common law reversible by 
writ of error. Sir if. Hale, H 1st. Pleas of the Crown, xxvi. 
(c) Capable of being reversed, or of being used or shown 
with either side exposed : as, reversible cloth. Also reversa- 
We. Doubly reversible polyhedron. See polyhedron. 
Reversible compressor, filter, lock. See the nouns. 
Reversible engine, see CSonwfi cycle, under cyclei. 
Reversible factors, comnmtable or interchangeable 
factors, as those of ordinary multiplication. Reversible 
pedal, plow, etc. See the nouns. Reversible pendu- 
lum. See pendulum, 2. Reversible process, In dy- 
num., a motion which might, under the influence of the 
same forces, take place in either of two opposite direc- 
tions, the different bodies running over precisely the 
same paths, with the same velocities, the directions only 
being reversed. 
II. n. A textile fabric having two faces, either 
of which may be exposed; a reversible fabric. 
Kcversibles usually have the two faces unlike, one of them 
sion. 
He found the sea diuerse, 
With many a windy storme reverse. 
Gower, Conf. Amant., vi. 
5. In conch., same as reversed, 5 Reverse artil- 
lery fire. See^>, is. Reverse aspect or view, in 
entom., the appearance of an insect or any part of it when 
the posterior extremity is toward the observer. Reverse 
battery, currentt, fault. See the nouns. Reverse 
bearing, in surv., the bearing of a course taken from the 
course in advance, looking backward. Re- 
verse curve, in rail., a double curve formed 
of two curves lying in opposite directions, 
like the letter S. -Reverse imitation, in 
contrapuntal music, imitation by inversion. 
See inversion (c), and imitation, 3. Reverse- 
jaw chuck. See chuck*. Reverse mo- 
tion, in music, same as contrary motion 
(which see, under motion, 14 (6)). Reverse 
proof, in engraving, a counter-proof. Re- 
verse shell, in conch., a univalve shell which 
has the aperture opening on the left side 
when placed point upward in front of the 
spectator, or which has its volutions the re- 
verse way of the common screw ; a sinistral 
shell. The cut shows the reverse shell of Chrysodomus an- 
tiquus, variety cotitrarius. Reverse valve. See valve. 
overlie those more recent, or occupy a reversed - , ...~.~ 
position. 4. In bot., of flowers, resupinate bcing Sf, n Bt ,, riped . or , p ! a J d ,^ whi , le the T other is P 1 " 1 .",:, 
(Binelow); of leaves, having the lower surface "^"J? 17 ( ~ V ** 81 " bh) ' adv - In a reverslble 
tferK(E.ErT.S.),ii.i57. istol, riS^efwsrntetrorlfl'; toning^oThe" reversie (-ver'si), a. [< OF. recerse, pp. of 
4f. Upset; tossed about; thrown into confu- left; reverse; heterostrophic. See cut under rmerser > reverse: see reverse.] In tier., same 
c'o^^^ts^stiVoS^^be^ revS^cyiinder (re-v^sing-sil'in-der), , 
ine which has a well-defined wsitim, L rL The cylinder of a small auxiliary steam-engine 
used to move the link or other reversing-gear of 
a large steam-engine, when the latter is too 
large to be quickly and easily operated by the 
hand: now much used in marine engines. 
reversing-gear (re-yer'sing-ger), . Those 
parts of a steam-engine, particularly of a loco- 
motive or marine engine, by which the direc- 
tion of the motion is changed: a general term 
covering all such parts of the machine, includ- 
ing the reversing-lever, eccentrics, link-motion, 
and valves of the cylinders. The most widely used 
reversing-gear is that employing the link-motion. There 
are, however, many other forms in use. See valve-year, 
steam-engine, and locomotive-. 
reversing-layer (re-ver'sing-la^er), H. A 
hypothetical thin stratum of the solar atmo- 
sphere, containing in gaseous form the sub- 
stances whose presence is shown by the dark 
lines of the solar spectrum, and supposed to be 
the seat of the absorption which produces the 
dark lines. The spectrum of this stratum, if it exists, 
must be one of bright lines the negative of the ordinary 
ing which has a well-defined position on the 
escutcheon: thus, a chevron reversed is one 
which issues from the top of the escutcheon, 
and has its point downward. Also renverse, re- 
versie Gutte 1 reversed. See guttf. Regardant re- 
versed. See regardant. Reversed arch. See arcfti. 
Reversed motion, in music, contrary motion. See 
motion, 14 (b). Reversed ogee. See ogee. Reversed 
retrograde imitation, in contrapuntal music, retrograde 
imitation by inversion, the subject or theme being re- 
peated both backward and in contrary motion. Re- 
versed wings, in entom., wings which are deflexed in 
repose, the upper wings lying closer to the body than the 
lower ones, which project beyond their anterior margins, 
as in certain Lepidoptera. 
reversedlyt (re-ver'sed-li), adv. Same as re- 
versely. Bp. Lowth, Life of Wykeham, ix. 
reverseless (re-vers'les), . r'nwnt + -less.] 
Not to be reversed; unalterable. 
E'en now thy lot shakes in the urn, whence Fate 
Throws her pale edicts in reverseless doom ! 
_ _. _.,.. , .^. A - Sewar d, To the Hon. T. Erskiue. 
II. n. 1. Reversal; a change to an opposite reverse-lever (re-vers'lev // er), n. In a steam- 
form, state, or condition; a complete alteration, engine, a lever 'or handle which operates the 
a reverse 
This pleasant and speedy reuers of the former wordes valve-gear so as to reverse the action of the 
holpe all the matter againe. steam. 
Puttenham, Arte of Eng. Poesie, p. 231. reversely (re-vers'li), adv. 1 In 
Base passion! said I, turning myself about, as a man " 
naturally does upon a sudden reverse of sentiment. 
Sterne, Sentimental Journey, p. 17. 
2. A complete change or turn of affairs; a vi- 
cissitude ; a change of fortune, particularly for 
the worse; hence, adverse fortune; a misfor- 
tune; a calamity or blow; a defeat. 
Violence, unless it escapes the reverses and changes of 
things by untimely death, is commonly unprosperous in 
the issue. Bacon, Moral Fables, vii., Expl. 
My belief of this induces me to hope . . . that th< 
same goodness will still be exercised toward me, in con 
tinuing . . . happiness, or enabling me to bear a fatal re- 
verse. B. Franklin, Autobiography, p. 4. 
3. In fencing, a back-handed stroke ; a blow 
solar spectrum and should be seen at the moment when 
a solar eclipse becomes total. The observation of such n 
bright-line spectrum, first made by Professor C. A. Young 
in 1870, and since repeated more or less completely by sev- 
eral eclipse observers, led to the hypothesie. It still re- 
mains doubtful, however, whether all the Fraunhofer lines 
originate in such a thin stratum, or whether different re- 
position, direction, or order. 
Lourens . . . began to shape beechen bark first into 
r^r^^^^^^^^l 
2. On the other hand ; on the contrary. %$% SStfKXfffSSZ 
and thus change the direction of motion. 
That is properly credible which is not . 
e collected, either an 
by its effect ; and yet . 
certainly to 
be collected, either antecedently by its cause, or reversely * . ; - 
hath the attestation of a truth reversing-macnine (re-ver'sing-ma-shen*), . 
Bp. Pearson, Expos, of Creed, i. In founding, a molding-machine in which the 
that the reverser (re-ver'ser), n. 1. One who reverses; flask is carried on trunnions, so that it can bo 
that which' causes reversal ; specifically, a de- reversed and the sand rammed from either side, 
vice for reversing or changing the direction of reversing-motion (re-ver' sing-mo'' shon), . 
an electric current or the sign of an electro- -^? v . meOQ anism for changing the direction of 
static charge. 2. In laic, a reversioner. 3. 
lescent.] 
To see thee pass thy punto, thy stock, thy reverse, thy 
distance, thy montant Shak., M. W. of W., ii. 3. 27. 
motion of an engine or a machine. A common de- 
vice of this nature for a steam-engine Is a rock shaft to 
operate the valves, having, on opposite sides, two levers 
to either of which may be connected the rod from an ec- 
f revers- 
from a direction contrary to that usually taken ; T 
a thrust^from left to right. [Obsolete^ obsol J^^^^OF and F - 
*" n i 1*1 L" x ** u ^ i. . . u~~ . w*,. - Lu cimci ui *\ 1111.11 may ue connecieu me rou iron 
sis.] 1 . Same as reversis. 2. A modern game centric on the main shaft. The most usual form 01 
played by two persons with sixty-four counters ing-motion for a locomotive is the link-motion. 
4. That which is presented when anything, as d j ffer f i] J colored on PP stte sides > on a board t *&SJ^&^*?S&2l^ 
a lance, gun, etc., is reversed, or turned in the 2i_ X! : ou '_ sq i ar ?. s ' A P'. a y?. r ' P P Iacin a coun 
direction opposite to what is considered its 
natural position. 
Any knight proposing to combat might . . . select a 
special antagonist from among the challengers, by touch- 
ing his shield. If he did so with the reverse of his lance, 
the trial of skill was made with . . . the arms of courtesy. 
Scott, Ivanhoe, viii. 
5. That which is directly opposite or contrary ; 
the ponrTH.rvT thp nT^rA^&ifo. !,,. ..,'-. IK- *ri*-K //,** 
the contrary; the opposite: generally with tin: 
"Out of wo in-to wele joure wyrdes shul chaunge." 
Ac who so redeth of the riche the reuers he may fynde. 
Piers Ptoieman (C), xiii. 210. 
He ... then mistook reverse of wrong for right. 
Pope Morall'ssav 
They are called the Consti.uent '? ws 
a name less appropriate. They were not constituent, ljut reversible (re-ver si-bl), n. and . [= F. re- 
the very r.'irrw.if i-imstitiient. Maamlaii. Mlnihcau. versible = Sp. rrrrmibli- = Pg. rcmxivel = It. 
-- A shaft 
connected with the valves of a steam-engine in 
such a manner as to permit a reversal of the or- 
... . _ - , -_ -.._.. der of steam-passage through the ports. 
broken line in any direction between the piece thus placed rp-u-praincr TraTrro lrr~ vr'iai>i(r nftri i TV, 
and any other of his own pieces already on the board A reversing- valve U ?- ver ing-valvj, n. Ine 
counter cannot be removed from its square, but may be valve of a reversing-cylinder. It is often a plain 
reversed again and again slide-valve, but in some forms of steam reversing-gear pis- 
ton-valves have been used. See reversing-cylinder. 
[Formerly also re- 
reversion = Pr. re- 
ip. reversion = Pg. reversao = It. ri- 
versione, < L. reversio(n-), < revertere, turn back: 
see revert, reverse.] 1. The act of reverting 
or returning to a former position, state, frame 
of mind, subject, etc.; return; recurrence. 
After his reversion home [he) was spoiled also of all that 
he brought with him. Foxe, Acts, etc., p. 152. 
the capability of being reversed. Also revtrsa- 
hili/i/. 
Reversibility is the sole test of perfection ; so that all 
heat-engines, whatever be the working substance, pro- 
vided only they be reversible, convert into work (under 
, 
i 198 Kiven circumstances) the same fraction of the heat sup- 
plled to *' '' ft - E "^' " - ^ 
2. In biol. : (a) Return to some ancestral type 
or plan; exhibition of ancestral characters; 
