revert

verb re·vert \ri-ˈvərt\

Definition of REVERT

intransitive verb

: to come or go back (as to a former condition, period, or subject)

: to return to the proprietor or his or her heirs at the end of a reversion

: to return to an ancestral type

— re·vert·er noun

— re·vert·ible \-ˈvər-tə-bəl\ adjective

See revert defined for English-language learners

See revert defined for kids

Origin of REVERT

Middle English, from Anglo-French revertir, from Latin revertere, v.t., to turn back & reverti, v.i., to return, come back, from re- + vertere, verti to turn — more at worth

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to REVERT

Synonyms: retrogress, return, regress

Antonyms: advance, develop, evolve, progress

Rhymes with REVERT

advert, alert, assert, avert, bellwort, birthwort, Blackshirt, brownshirt, bush shirt, camp shirt, colewort, concert, convert, covert, desert, dessert, dissert, divert, dress shirt, evert, exert, expert, exsert, figwort, fleawort, glasswort, hair shirt, Hastert, hornwort, inert, insert, invert, lousewort, lungwort, madwort, milkwort, mugwort, nightshirt, outskirt, overt, pay dirt, pervert, pilewort, ragwort, redshirt, ribwort, saltwort, sandwort, Schubert, seagirt, sea squirt, soapwort, spearwort, spleenwort, stitchwort, stonewort, stuffed shirt, subvert, sweatshirt, toothwort, T-shirt, ungirt

REVERT Defined for Kids

revert

verb re·vert \ri-ˈvərt\

re·vert·edre·vert·ing

Definition of REVERT for Kids

: to come or go back <He reverted to bad habits.>

Word Root of REVERT

The Latin word vertere, meaning “to turn” or “to change,” and its form versus give us the roots vert and vers. Words from the Latin vertere have something to do with turning or changing. Anything versatile, or able to do or be used for many different things, can change its task easily. A vertebra is a bone in the spine that allows an animal to turn its head or body. To avert is to turn away. To divert is to turn aside onto a new path. To revert is to turn back to a former way of being.

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