Re·verse a.
 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.”
 2. Turned upside down; greatly disturbed. [Obs.]
 He found the sea diverse
 With many a windy storm reverse.   --Gower.
 3. Bot. & Zool. Reversed; as, a reverse shell.
 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.