n. The state or quality of being irreversible; irreversibleness. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Incapable of being reversed or turned about or back; incapable of being made to run backward; as, an irreversible engine; an irreversible process; an irreversible reaction. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

2. Incapable of being reversed, recalled, repealed, or annulled; as, an irreversible sentence or decree. [ 1913 Webster ]

This rejection of the Jews, as it is not universal, so neither is it final and irreversible. Jortin.

Syn. -- Irrevocable; irrepealable; unchangeable. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The state or quality of being irreversible. [ 1913 Webster ]

. (Mach.) A steering gear, esp. for an automobile, not affected by the road wheels, as when they strike an obstacle side ways, but easily controlled by the hand wheel or steering lever. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

adv. In an irreversible manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. Not reversible or capable of having either side out; -- used mostly of clothing. Opposite of reversible.
Syn. -- one-sided. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. The quality of being reversible. Tyndall. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. réversible revertible, reversionary. ] 1. Capable of being reversed; as, a chair or seat having a reversible back; a reversible judgment or sentence. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Hence, having a pattern or finished surface on both sides, so that either may be used; -- said of fabrics. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a reversible manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Serving to effect reversal, as of motion; capable of being reversed. [ 1913 Webster ]

Reversing engine, 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. réversion, L. reversio a turning back. See Revert. ] 1. The act of returning, or coming back; return. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

After his reversion home, [ he ] was spoiled, also, of all that he brought with him. Foxe. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which reverts or returns; residue. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The small reversion of this great navy which came home might be looked upon by religious eyes as relics. Fuller. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Law) The returning of an estate to the grantor or his heirs, by operation of law, after the grant has terminated; hence, the residue of an estate left in the proprietor or owner thereof, to take effect in possession, by operation of law, after the termination of a limited or less estate carved out of it and conveyed by him. Kent. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Hence, a right to future possession or enjoyment; succession. [ 1913 Webster ]

For even reversions are all begged before. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Annuities) A payment which is not to be received, or a benefit which does not begin, until the happening of some event, as the death of a living person. Brande & C. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. (Biol.) A return towards some ancestral type or character; atavism. [ 1913 Webster ]

Reversion of series (Alg.), the act of reverting a series. See To revert a series, under Revert, v. t. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Law) Of or pertaining to a reversion; involving a reversion; to be enjoyed in succession, or after the termination of a particular estate; as, a reversionary interest or right. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Law) That which is to be received in reversion. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Law) One who has a reversion, or who is entitled to lands or tenements, after a particular estate granted is terminated. Blackstone. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. ] A certain game at cards. [ 1913 Webster ]