Reverting Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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reverting

[rɪˈvɜrtɪŋ ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

action

Returning to a previous state, practice, or belief after a period of change or deviation.

Synonyms

go back, recede, retreat, return.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
return

A more neutral term, commonly used to describe the act of coming back to a place or situation, often interchangeable with 'come back'.

  • She will return from her vacation next week.
  • Please return the book to the library when you're done reading it.
go back

General term used in casual or conversational contexts when you want to describe the act of returning to a previous place or condition.

  • I need to go back to the store because I forgot to buy milk.
  • Let's go back to the office; I left my keys there.
recede

Often used to describe something moving backward or becoming less noticeable, commonly used with natural processes like water levels or hairlines.

  • The floodwaters began to recede after the rain stopped.
  • As he aged, his hairline started to recede.
retreat

Used when describing a strategic withdrawal, often in a military context, or when someone withdraws from a challenge or situation.

  • The army had to retreat from the battlefield.
  • After the argument, she decided to retreat to her room to cool down.

Examples of usage

  • She was reverting to her old habits after trying to make a change in her lifestyle.
  • The company decided to revert back to their original business model after the new one failed to generate profit.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • In behavioral psychology, reverting can occur when individuals return to earlier behaviors when faced with stress.
  • Research shows that reverting to past habits often happens during significant life changes, indicating a search for stability.
  • The concept of 'regression' is closely linked, where people exhibit behaviors of a younger age to cope with anxiety.

Technology

  • In software, reverting often refers to restoring previous versions to fix bugs or issues encountered in updates.
  • Version control systems allow programmers to revert changes easily, ensuring that software can return to a stable state.
  • The process is crucial for data recovery, safeguarding against losses or errors during updates.

Culture

  • In fashion, reverting to past styles often reflects nostalgia and the cyclical nature of trends.
  • The concept of reverting can be seen in cultural practices where communities return to traditional customs.
  • Music, too, sees artists often reverting to earlier sounds, blending modern elements with vintage influences.

Natural Sciences

  • In ecological studies, ecosystems can revert to previous states after disturbances, known as ecological succession.
  • Behavioral ecologists observe that animal species may revert to ancestral traits when their environments change drastically.
  • Reverting processes are vital in genetics, as organisms may revert mutations under certain circumstances, resulting in evolutionary changes.

Origin of 'reverting'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'revertere', which means 'to turn back'.
  • It is made of the prefix 're-' meaning 'again', and 'vertere', meaning 'to turn'.
  • The term has been in use since the early 15th century, often associated with returning to previous states.

The word 'revert' originated from the Latin word 'revertere', which means 'turn back'. It entered the English language in the late 15th century with the meaning of 'to return to a former state'. Over time, the word 'revert' evolved to also include the idea of going back to a previous action or belief. The term 'reverting' is commonly used in various contexts to describe the act of returning to a previous state or behavior.


Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,434, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.