in·ver·sion ( n-vûr zh n, -shn)n. 1. a. The act of inverting. b. The state of being inverted. 2. An interchange of position of adjacent objects in a sequence, especially a change in normal word order, such as the placement of a verb before its subject. 3. Music a. A rearrangement of tones in which the upper and lower voices of a melody are transposed, as in counterpoint. b. A rearrangement of tones in which each interval in a single melody is applied in the opposite direction. c. A rearrangement of tones in which the notes of a chord are rearranged such that the bass has a different pitch. 4. Psychology a. The taking on of the gender role of the opposite sex. b. In the theory of Sigmund Freud, homosexuality. No longer in scientific use. 5. Chemistry Conversion of a substance in which the direction of optical rotation is reversed, from the dextrorotatory to the levorotatory or from the levorotatory to the dextrorotatory form. 6. Meteorology An atmospheric condition in which the air temperature rises with increasing altitude, holding surface air down and preventing dispersion of pollutants. 7. Genetics A chromosomal defect in which a segment of the chromosome breaks off and reattaches in the reverse direction. [Latin inversi  , inversin-, from inversus, past participle of invertere, to invert; see invert.] |
inversion [ɪnˈvɜːʃən]
n
1. the act of inverting or state of being inverted
2. something inverted, esp a reversal of order, mutual functions, etc. an inversion of their previous relationship
3. (Literature / Rhetoric) Also called anastrophe Rhetoric the reversal of a normal order of words
4. (Chemistry) Chem
a. the conversion of a dextrorotatory solution of sucrose into a laevorotatory solution of glucose and fructose by hydrolysis
b. any similar reaction in which the optical properties of the reactants are opposite to those of the products
5. (Music / Classical Music) Music
a. the process or result of transposing the notes of a chord (esp a triad) such that the root, originally in the bass, is placed in an upper part. When the bass note is the third of the triad, the resulting chord is the first inversion; when it is the fifth, the resulting chord is the second inversion See also root position
b. (in counterpoint) the modification of a melody or part in which all ascending intervals are replaced by corresponding descending intervals and vice versa
c. the modification of an interval in which the higher note becomes the lower or the lower one the higher See complement [8]
6. (Medicine / Pathology) Pathol abnormal positioning of an organ or part, as in being upside down or turned inside out
7. (Psychiatry) Psychiatry
a. the adoption of the role or characteristics of the opposite sex
b. another word for homosexuality
8. (Earth Sciences / Physical Geography) Meteorol an abnormal condition in which the layer of air next to the earth's surface is cooler than an overlying layer
9. (Linguistics / Phonetics & Phonology) Anatomy Phonetics another word for retroflexion [2]
10. (Electronics & Computer Science / Computer Science) Computing an operation by which each digit of a binary number is changed to the alternative digit, as 10110 to 01001
11. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Genetics) Genetics a type of chromosomal mutation in which a section of a chromosome, and hence the order of its genes, is reversed
12. (Philosophy / Logic) Logic the process of deriving the inverse of a categorial proposition
13. (Mathematics) Maths a transformation that takes a point P to a pointP′ such that OP·OP′ = a2, where a is a constant and P and P′ lie on a straight line through a fixed point O and on the same side of it
inversive adj
| inversion (n-vûrzhn) A departure from the normal effect of altitude on a meteorological property, especially an atmospheric condition in which the air temperature rises with increasing altitude.  A layer of air that is warmer than the air below it is called an inversion layer. Such a layer traps the surface air in place and prevents dispersion of any pollutants it contains. |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  inversion - the layer of air near the earth is cooler than an overlying layeratmospheric phenomenon - a physical phenomenon associated with the atmosphere |
| 2. | inversion - 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) abnormalcy, abnormality - an abnormal physical condition resulting from defective genes or developmental deficiencies | |
| 3. | inversion - a chemical process in which the direction of optical rotation of a substance is reversed from dextrorotatory to levorotary or vice versa chemical action, chemical change, chemical process - (chemistry) any process determined by the atomic and molecular composition and structure of the substances involved | |
| 4. | inversion - (genetics) a kind of mutation in which the order of the genes in a section of a chromosome is reversed genetic science, genetics - the branch of biology that studies heredity and variation in organisms chromosomal mutation, genetic mutation, mutation - (genetics) any event that changes genetic structure; any alteration in the inherited nucleic acid sequence of the genotype of an organism | |
| 5. | inversion - the reversal of the normal order of words rhetorical device - a use of language that creates a literary effect (but often without regard for literal significance) | |
| 6. | inversion - (counterpoint) a variation of a melody or part in which ascending intervals are replaced by descending intervals and vice versa counterpoint - a musical form involving the simultaneous sound of two or more melodies variation - a repetition of a musical theme in which it is modified or embellished | |
| 7. | inversion - a term formerly used to mean taking on the gender role of the opposite sex gayness, homoeroticism, homosexualism, homosexuality, queerness - a sexual attraction to (or sexual relations with) persons of the same sex | |
| 8. |  inversion - turning upside down; setting on end | |
| 9. | inversion - the act of turning inside out |
inversion
noun reversal, opposite, antithesis, transposition, contrary, contrariety, contraposition, transposal, antipode a strange inversion of priorities
Translations
inversion
n → Umkehrung f; (Mus also, Gram) → Inversion f; (fig: of roles, values) → Verkehrung f, → Umkehrung f
inversion [ɪnˈvɜːʃ/ən] n (of elements, words, roles) → inversione f; (of object) → capovolgimento, ribaltamento; (of values) → rovesciamento, capovolgimento
inversion [ɪnˈvɜːʃ/ən] n (of elements, words, roles) → inversione f; (of object) → capovolgimento, ribaltamento; (of values) → rovesciamento, capovolgimento
inversion [ɪnˈvɜːʃ/ən] n (of elements, words, roles) → inversione f; (of object) → capovolgimento, ribaltamento; (of values) → rovesciamento, capovolgimento
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