inverse

[ adjective noun in-vurs, in-vurs; verb in-vurs ]

adjective

1. reversed in position, order, direction, or tendency.
2. Mathematics.
   1. (of a proportion) containing terms of which an increase in one results in a decrease in another. A term is said to be in inverse proportion to another term if it increases (or decreases) as the other decreases (or increases).
   2. of or relating to an inverse function. Compare direct ( def 16 ).
3. inverted; turned upside down.

noun

1. an inverted state or condition.
2. something that is inverse; the direct opposite.
3. Mathematics.
   1. an element of an algebraic system, as a group, corresponding to a given element such that its product or sum with the given element is the identity element.
   2. inverse function.
   3. a point related to a given point so that it is situated on the same radius, extended if necessary, of a given circle or sphere and so that the product of the distances of the two points from the center equals the square of the radius of the circle or sphere.
   4. the set of such inverses of the points of a given set, as the points on a curve.

verb (used with object)

, in·versed, in·vers·ing.

1. to invert.

inverse

/ ɪnˈvɜːs; ˈɪnvɜːs /

adjective

1. opposite or contrary in effect, sequence, direction, etc
2. maths
   1. (of a relationship) containing two variables such that an increase in one results in a decrease in the other

      the volume of a gas is in inverse ratio to its pressure

   2. (of an element) operating on a specified member of a set to produce the identity of the set: the additive inverse element of x is –x, the multiplicative inverse element of x is 1/x
3. usually prenominal upside-down; inverted

   in an inverse position

noun

1. maths
   1. another name for reciprocal
   2. an inverse element
2. logic a categorial proposition derived from another by changing both the proposition and its subject from affirmative to negative, or vice versa, as all immortals are angels from no mortals are angels

inverse

Adjective

1. Relating to a mathematical operation whose nature or effect is the opposite of another operation. For example, addition and subtraction are inverse operations, as are multiplication and division.

Noun

1. An inverse operation. Subtraction is the inverse of addition.
2. Either of a pair of elements in a set whose result under the mathematical operation of the set is the identity element. For example, the inverse of 5 under multiplication is 1 5 , since 5 × 1 5 = 1, the identity element under multiplication. The inverse of 5 under addition is −5, since 5 + −5 = 0.

Derived Forms

• inˈversely, adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of inverse¹

1605–15; < Latin inversus, past participle of invertere to turn upside down or inside out, reverse. See in- ², verse

Word History and Origins

Origin of inverse¹

C17: from Latin inversus, from invertere to invert

Example Sentences

Both of these can be greater when you’re alone—although, ironically, they’re often at inverse levels.

From Outside Online

For Magneto, it’s that mutants are superior to humans and should eliminate them before the inverse happens.

From Time

In the third century BCE, the philosopher Aristotle described the female body as the inverse of the male body, with its genitalia “turn’d outside in.”

From Time

Finding the pair required a complex computer search, but verifying that they really are inverses is well within the realm of human computation.

From Quanta Magazine

Now Gardam has turned up a pair of multiplicative inverses with 21 terms each within a group algebra built from the Hantzsche-Wendt group.

From Quanta Magazine

Somehow, the brevity of the message creates an inverse potential for misunderstanding.

From The Daily Beast

This is an inverse Pietà, and something of a sexual anarchist; she ardently refuses to be oriented in an orientation.

From The Daily Beast

The meme is the inverse of Harvey Milk: you gotta take away all their hope.

From The Daily Beast

There is an inverse correlation at play: the nicer a man appears, the greater his cruelty behind closed doors.

From The Daily Beast

Whatever the answer, the inverse desire for unlikable characters—truly despicable ones—is interesting.

From The Daily Beast

Now recall the series in an inverse order, beginning with “Fieldhand,” and going back to “Building.”

From Project Gutenberg

The first cost of these engines was probably in inverse proportion to their power.

From Project Gutenberg

The pressure of darkness acts in inverse proportion upon different kinds of natures.

From Project Gutenberg

We shall, then, in a separate chapter, examine and endeavour to characterize the inverse process.

From Project Gutenberg

And as will be shown presently, nothing of a really scientific character is here possible, except by the inverse deductive method.

From Project Gutenberg