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# reversal

noun (a reversal, reversals)

«reversal» 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. A reversal is a change to the opposite direction, order or result. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/reversal/#m1)
2. A reversal can be a sudden change of fortune, often from good to bad. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/reversal/#m2)
3. (law) A reversal is when a decision is changed by a higher authority. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/reversal/#m3)

### In the lessons

In maths, reversal can mean undoing an operation (inverse operations, like reversing ×2 with ÷2) or reversing the order of digits. In science, a reversal of a process (melting then freezing) shows a reversible change. In stories and sports, a reversal is a big turnaround. Phrases: "a complete reversal", "role reversal", "reversal of fortune", "a policy reversal".

### Examples

- The team made an amazing reversal in the second half. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/reversal/#x1)
- In the play there was a role reversal: the children were in charge and the parents obeyed. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/reversal/#x2)
- The new rule was a reversal of the old one. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/reversal/#x3)
- The reversal of 47 is 74. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/reversal/#x4)
- Freezing melted ice again is a reversal of the change. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/reversal/#x5)
- (law) The higher court ordered a reversal of the decision. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/reversal/#x6)
- Losing his job was a sad reversal of fortune. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/reversal/#x7)

### Note

Countable: a reversal, reversals. Verb: reverse; adjective: reversible. In maths: reversing the digits of 52 gives 25, and 52 − 25 = 27 (a multiple of 9, true for every two-digit number). Reversing an operation is using its inverse.

## In Jewish tradition

In Sefer Yetzirah writing it means swapping or turning Hebrew letters around by set rules.

**Interpretation.** Kabbalists study such rules as a way to find deeper meanings in the letters of the Hebrew alphabet.

### Examples

- The Kabalistic principles involved in the reversal of Hebrew letters, and their substitution by others, on definite schemes, should also be studied and borne in mind. (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/R/reversal/#x1)

### Note

Countable: a reversal, reversals. Verb: reverse; adjective: reversible. In maths: reversing the digits of 52 gives 25, and 52 − 25 = 27 (a multiple of 9, true for every two-digit number). Reversing an operation is using its inverse.

## On Mova

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