INVERSION

inversion, eversion, everting

(noun) the act of turning inside out

inversion, upending

(noun) turning upside down; setting on end

inversion, sexual inversion

(noun) a term formerly used to mean taking on the gender role of the opposite sex

inversion

(noun) (counterpoint) a variation of a melody or part in which ascending intervals are replaced by descending intervals and vice versa

anastrophe, inversion

(noun) the reversal of the normal order of words

inversion

(noun) (genetics) a kind of mutation in which the order of the genes in a section of a chromosome is reversed

inversion

(noun) the layer of air near the earth is cooler than an overlying layer

inversion

(noun) a chemical process in which the direction of optical rotation of a substance is reversed from dextrorotatory to levorotary or vice versa

inversion

(noun) abnormal condition in which an organ is turned inward or inside out (as when the upper part of the uterus is pulled into the cervical canal after childbirth)

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Noun

inversion (countable and uncountable, plural inversions)

The action of inverting.

Being upside down, in an inverted state.

Being in a reverse sequence, in an inverted state.

(music) The move of one pitch in an interval up or down an octave.

(music) The reversal of an interval.

(music) The reversal of the pitch contour.

(music) The reversal of a pitch class succession, such as a contrapuntal line or melody.

(music) The subtraction of pitch classes in a set from twelve, which maps intervals onto their complements with respect to 0, and preserves interval classes, symbolized IX (X being the transposition that is inverted.).

(genetics) a segment of DNA in the context of a chromosome that is reversed in orientation relative to a reference karyotype or genome

(meteorology) An increase of air temperature with increase in altitude (the ground being colder than the surrounding air). When an inversion exists, there are no convection currents and wind speeds are below 5 knots. The atmosphere is stable and normally is considered the most favorable state for ground release of chemical agents.

(grammar) Deviation from standard word order by putting the predicate before the subject. It takes place in questions with auxiliary verbs and in normal, affirmative clauses beginning with a negative particle, for the purpose of emphasis.

(algebra) An operation on a group, analogous to negation.

(psychology, obsolete) Homosexuality, particularly in early psychoanalysis.

Source: Wiktionary


In*ver"sion, n. Etym: [L. inversio: cf. F. inversion. See Invert.]

1. The act of inverting, or turning over or backward, or the state of being inverted.

2. A change by inverted order; a reversed position or arrangement of things; transposition. It is just the inversion of an act of Parliament; your lordship first signed it, and then it was passed among the Lords and Commons. Dryden.

3. (Mil.)

Definition: A movement in tactics by which the order of companies in line is inverted, the right being on the left, the left on the right, and so on.

4. (Math.)

Definition: A change in the order of the terms of a proportion, so that the second takes the place of the first, and the fourth of the third.

5. (Geom.)

Definition: A peculiar method of transformation, in which a figure is replaced by its inverse figure. Propositions that are true for the original figure thus furnish new propositions that are true in the inverse figure. See Inverse figures, under Inverse.

6. (Gram.)

Definition: A change of the usual order of words or phrases; as, "of all vices, impurity is one of the most detestable," instead of, "impurity is one of the most detestable of all vices."

7. (Rhet.)

Definition: A method of reasoning in which the orator shows that arguments advanced by his adversary in opposition to him are really favorable to his cause.

8. (Mus.) (a) Said of intervals, when the lower tone is placed an octave higher, so that fifths become fourths, thirds sixths, etc. (b) Said of a chord, when one of its notes, other than its root, is made the bass. (c) Said of a subject, or phrase, when the intervals of which it consists are repeated in the contrary direction, rising instead of falling, or vice versa. (d) Said of double counterpoint, when an upper and a lower part change places.

9. (Geol.)

Definition: The folding back of strata upon themselves, as by upheaval, in such a manner that the order of succession appears to be reversed.

10. (Chem.)

Definition: The act or process by which cane sugar (sucrose), under the action of heat and acids or ferments (as diastase), is broken or split up into grape sugar (dextrose), and fruit sugar (levulose); also, less properly, the process by which starch is converted into grape sugar (dextrose).

Note: The terms invert and inversion, in this sense, owe their meaning to the fact that the plane of polarization of light, which is rotated to the right by cane sugar, is turned toward the left by levulose.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

25 November 2024

ONCHOCERCIASIS

(noun) infestation with slender threadlike roundworms (filaria) deposited under the skin by the bite of black fleas; when the eyes are involved it can result in blindness; common in Africa and tropical America


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