Definition of reverse

• a. - Turned backward; having a contrary or opposite direction; hence; opposite or contrary in kind; as, the reverse order or method.
• a. - Turned upside down; greatly disturbed.
• a. - Reversed; as, a reverse shell.
• a. - 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.
• a. - That which is directly opposite or contrary to something else; a contrary; an opposite.
• a. - 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.
• a. - 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.
• a. - A thrust in fencing made with a backward turn of the hand; a backhanded stroke.
• a. - A turn or fold made in bandaging, by which the direction of the bandage is changed.
• a. - To turn back; to cause to face in a contrary direction; to cause to depart.
• a. - To cause to return; to recall.
• a. - To change totally; to alter to the opposite.
• a. - To turn upside down; to invert.
• a. - Hence, to overthrow; to subvert.
• a. - To overthrow by a contrary decision; to make void; to under or annual for error; as, to reverse a judgment, sentence, or decree.
• v. i. - To return; to revert.
• v. i. - To become or be reversed.