Re·vert v. t. [imp. & p. p. Reverted; p. pr. & vb. n. Reverting.]
1. To turn back, or to the contrary; to reverse.
Till happy chance revert the cruel scence. --Prior.
The tumbling stream . . .
Reverted, plays in undulating flow. --Thomson.
2. To throw back; to reflect; to reverberate.
3. Chem. To change back. See Revert, v. i.
To revert a series Alg., to treat a series, as y = a + bx + cx² + etc., where one variable y is expressed in powers of a second variable x, so as to find therefrom the second variable x, expressed in a series arranged in powers of y.
Re·ver·sion n.
1. The act of returning, or coming back; return. [Obs.]
After his reversion home, [he] was spoiled, also, of all that he brought with him. --Foxe.
2. That which reverts or returns; residue. [Obs.]
The small reversion of this great navy which came home might be looked upon by religious eyes as relics. --Fuller.
3. Law The returning of an estate to the grantor or his heirs, by operation of law, after the grant has terminated; hence, the residue of an estate left in the proprietor or owner thereof, to take effect in possession, by operation of law, after the termination of a limited or less estate carved out of it and conveyed by him.
4. Hence, a right to future possession or enjoyment; succession.
For even reversions are all begged before. --Dryden.
5. Annuities A payment which is not to be received, or a benefit which does not begin, until the happening of some event, as the death of a living person.
6. Biol. A return towards some ancestral type or character; atavism.
Reversion of series Alg., the act of reverting a series. See To revert a series, under Revert, v. t.
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