In*verse" (?), a. [L. inversus, p. p. of invertere: cf. F. inverse. See Invert.]
1.
Opposite in order, relation, or effect; reversed; inverted; reciprocal; -- opposed to direct.
2. Bot.
Inverted; having a position or mode of attachment the reverse of that which is usual.
3. Math.
Opposite in nature and effect; -- said with reference to any two operations, which, when both are performed in succession upon any quantity, reproduce that quantity; as, multiplication is the inverse operation to division. The symbol of an inverse operation is the symbol of the direct operation with -1 as an index. Thus sin-1 x means the arc whose sine is x.
Inverse figures Geom., two figures, such that each point of either figure is inverse to a corresponding point in the order figure. -- Inverse points Geom., two points lying on a line drawn from the center of a fixed circle or sphere, and so related that the product of their distances from the center of the circle or sphere is equal to the square of the radius. -- Inverse, ∨ Reciprocal, ratio Math., the ratio of the reciprocals of two quantities. -- Inverse, ∨ Reciprocal, proportion, an equality between a direct ratio and a reciprocal ratio; thus, 4 : 2 : : , or 4 : 2 : : 3 : 6, inversely.
© Webster 1913.
In"verse, n.
That which is inverse.
Thus the course of human study is the inverse of the course of things in nature.
Tatham.
© Webster 1913.