reverse-engineer

[ ri-vurs-en-juh-neer ]

verb (used with object)

1. to study or analyze (a device, as a microchip for computers) in order to learn details of design, construction, and operation, perhaps to produce a copy or an improved version.

Other Words From

• reverse engineering noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of reverse-engineer¹

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

If we reverse-engineer the progress of the Boeing 777 from this single moment of clarity, where does it begin to get complicated?

From The Daily Beast

But chefs say their motives are mainly educational: They use them to reverse-engineer their own versions.

From The Daily Beast

Anyone can reverse-engineer a terrific dish , and recreate it elsewhere—whether they attribute it to the original chef or not.

From The Daily Beast

This requires that they effectively reverse-engineer the well-documented al-Qaeda plot to bring down the Twin Towers.

From The Daily Beast