First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
revert
verb re·vert \ri-ˈvərt\
Definition of REVERT
intransitive verb
1
: to come or go back (as to a former condition, period, or subject)
2
: to return to the proprietor or his or her heirs at the end of a reversion
3
: 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
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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
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
REVERTIBLE 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.
Medical Dictionary
revert
intransitive verb re·vert \ri-ˈvərt\
Medical Definition of REVERT
: to undergo reversion
—re·vert·ible \-ˈvərt-ə-bəl\ adjective
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