INVERSIONS
Noun
inversions
plural of inversion
Source: Wiktionary
INVERSION
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