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The act of reversing; the causing to move or face in an opposite direction, or to stand or lie in an inverted position; as, the reversal of a rotating wheel; the reversal of objects by a convex lens.

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.

said of fabrics. 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.

a steam engine having a reversing gear by means of which it can be made to run in either direction at will. -- Reversing gear (Mach.), gear for reversing the direction of rotation at will.

Turned back; reversed. Specifically: (Her.) Bent or curved twice, in opposite directions, or in the form of an S.

An instrument for reversing the direction of an electric current. [Written also reotrope.]

les, as when one line crosses another perpendicularly. -- Right and left, in both or all directions. [Colloq.] -- Right and left coupling (Pipe fitting), a coupling the opposite ends of which are tapped for a right-handed screw and a left-handed screw, respectivelly. -- Right angle. (a) The angle formed by one line m…

A turning directly about by the right, so as to face in the opposite direction; also, the quarter directly opposite; as, to turn to the right-about. To send to the right-about, to cause to turn toward the opposite point or quarter; -- hence, of troops, to cause to turn and retreat. [Colloq.] Sir W. Scott.…

. Right-hand rope, a rope which is laid up and twisted with the sun, that is, in the same direction as plain-laid rope. See Illust. of Cordage.

Having the same direction or course as the movement of the hands of a watch seen in front; -- said of the motion of a revolving object looked at from a given direction.

Increasing; strengthening; -- a direction indicating a sudden increase of force (abbreviated rf., rfz.) Cf. Forzando, and Sforzando.

A handsaw with coarse teeth which have but a slight set, used for cutting wood in the direction of the fiber; -- called also ripping saw.

To slope upward; as, a path, a line, or surface rises in this direction. "A rising ground." Dryden.

Attaining a higher place; taking, or moving in, an upward direction; appearing above the horizon; ascending; as, the rising moon.

Retarding; -- a direction for slower time; rallentado.

To be split or rent asunder. Freestone rives, splits, and breaks in any direction. Woodward.

To go from place to place without any certain purpose or direction; to rove; to wander. He roameth to the carpenter's house. Chaucer. Daphne roaming through a thorny wood. Shak.

Roundly; fully; vigorously. [Obs.] Chaucer. All round, over the whole place; in every direction. -- All-round, of general capacity; as, an all-round man. [Colloq.] - - To bring one round. (a) To cause one to change his opinions or line of conduct. (b) To restore one to health. [Colloq.]

Hence, to wander; to ramble; to rauge; to go, move, or pass without certain direction in any manner, by sailing, walking, riding, flying, or otherwise. For who has power to walk has power to rove. Arbuthnot.

That which is prescribed or laid down as a guide for conduct or action; a governing direction for a specific purpose; an authoritative enactment; a regulation; a prescription; a precept; as, the rules of various societies; the rules governing a school; a rule of etiquette or propriety; the rules of cricket. We profess…