Reverse operation

Reverse \Re*verse"\, 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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