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# converse

verb (converse, converses, conversed, conversing); noun (the converse); adjective (converse)

«converse» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. (verb, formal) To converse is to talk with someone, have a conversation. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/converse/#m1)
2. (noun) The converse is the opposite or the reverse of something. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/converse/#m2)
3. (maths and logic) The converse of a statement «if A, then B» is «if B, then A». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/converse/#m3)

### In the lessons

As a verb it is a formal or old-fashioned way of saying «talk» or «chat», found in books. In maths and logic the converse swaps the two parts of an «if… then» statement, and the converse of a true statement is not always true. Phrases: converse with, the converse is also true.

### Examples

- The two old friends conversed quietly by the fire. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/converse/#x1)
- We tried to converse in French on holiday. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/converse/#x2)
- Some people are shy; the converse is true of my sister. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/converse/#x3)
- «If it is a square, it has four sides.» The converse, «If it has four sides, it is a square», is false. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/converse/#x4)
- The queen conversed with the guests at dinner. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/converse/#x5)
- Hot water rises; the converse happens with cold water. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/converse/#x6)
- They conversed together for some time, and then the Thief suddenly yawned and howled like a wolf. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/converse/#x7)

### Note

Stress: verb con-VERSE, noun and adjective CON-verse. Related: conversation, conversely («in the opposite way»). Maths trap: a statement can be true while its converse is false — always check with an example (a rectangle has four sides but is not a square).

## In Jewish tradition

Here it means secret talk or plotting, and in Job the close friendship of God with a person.

**Interpretation.** Job longs for the days when God's closeness was like a protecting presence over his tent.

### Examples

- They hold crafty converse against Thy people, and take counsel against Thy treasured ones. (Writings PSA.83.4, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/converse/#x1)
- As I was in the days of my youth, when the converse of God was upon my tent; (Writings JOB.29.4, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/converse/#x2)
- They encourage one another in an evil matter; they converse of laying snares secretly; they ask, who would see them. (Writings PSA.64.6, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/converse/#x3)

### Note

Stress: verb con-VERSE, noun and adjective CON-verse. Related: conversation, conversely («in the opposite way»). Maths trap: a statement can be true while its converse is false — always check with an example (a rectangle has four sides but is not a square).

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «converse» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/converse/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«converse» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/converse.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «converse» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/converse/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«converse» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/converse.html) on Mova free.