reversible process

reversible process
    n 1: any process in which a system can be made to pass through
         the same states in the reverse order when the process is
         reversed [ant: {irreversible process}]
    

Process \Proc"ess\, n. [F. proc[`e]s, L. processus. See
   {Proceed}.]
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   1. The act of proceeding; continued forward movement;
      procedure; progress; advance. "Long process of time."
      --Milton.
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            The thoughts of men are widened with the process of
            the suns.                             --Tennyson.
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   2. A series of actions, motions, or occurrences; progressive
      act or transaction; continuous operation; normal or actual
      course or procedure; regular proceeding; as, the process
      of vegetation or decomposition; a chemical process;
      processes of nature.
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            Tell her the process of Antonio's end. --Shak.
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   3. A statement of events; a narrative. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
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   4. (Anat. & Zool.) Any marked prominence or projecting part,
      especially of a bone; anapophysis.
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   5. (Law) The whole course of proceedings in a cause real or
      personal, civil or criminal, from the beginning to the end
      of the suit; strictly, the means used for bringing the
      defendant into court to answer to the action; -- a generic
      term for writs of the class called judicial.
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   {Deacon's process} [from H. Deacon, who introduced it]
      (Chem.), a method of obtaining chlorine gas by passing
      hydrochloric acid gas over heated slag which has been
      previously saturated with a solution of some metallic
      salt, as sulphate of copper.

   {Final process} (Practice), a writ of execution in an action
      at law. --Burrill.

   {In process}, in the condition of advance, accomplishment,
      transaction, or the like; begun, and not completed.

   {Jury process} (Law), the process by which a jury is summoned
      in a cause, and by which their attendance is enforced.
      --Burrill.

   {Leblanc's process} (Chem.), the process of manufacturing
      soda by treating salt with sulphuric acid, reducing the
      sodium sulphate so formed to sodium sulphide by roasting
      with charcoal, and converting the sodium sulphide to
      sodium carbonate by roasting with lime.

   {Mesne process}. See under {Mesne}.

   {Process milling}, the process of high milling for grinding
      flour. See under {Milling}.

   {Reversible process} (Thermodynamics), any process consisting
      of a cycle of operations such that the different
      operations of the cycle can be performed in reverse order
      with a reversal of their effects.
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Reversible \Re*vers"i*ble\, a. [Cf. F. r['e]versible revertible,
   reversionary.]
   1. Capable of being reversed; as, a chair or seat having a
      reversible back; a reversible judgment or sentence.
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   2. Hence, having a pattern or finished surface on both sides,
      so that either may be used; -- said of fabrics.
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   {Reversible lock}, a lock that may be applied to a door
      opening in either direction, or hinged to either jamb.

   {Reversible process}. See under {Process}.
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