Inversing

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. The action of transforming an object or idea into its opposite form in several situations
2. The process of switching something to its contrary state across multiple scenarios
3. The act of changing the arrangement or direction of something to its opposite or reverse state

Etymology: "Inversing" is the present participle of "inverse," a verb that has been recorded in English since 1440. It comes from Latin "inversus," the past participle of "invertere," meaning "to turn" with the prefix "in-" in the sense of "against" or "in." Put together, the Latin image is of something turned around or turned over, so that what was on top ends up underneath. That physical sense of turning is still visible in the word's modern use. To inverse something is to reverse its order, position, or effect, and the participle form describes the process as it happens. A sentence about inversing a relationship or inversing a pattern is describing that act of turning the thing back on itself while it is still underway.

Synonyms: reversing, turning, flipping