invert

• Verbe signifiant renverser ou retourner quelque chose, changer son ordre, sa position ou son état en l'inverse, ou intervertir des éléments.

A verb used to indicate the act of turning something upside down, reversing its position, order, or condition.

1. Reverse position or orderB2formal

   To change the position, order, or condition of something to the opposite.

   inverser

   • The chemist inverted the flask to mix the solutions.
   • In the diagram, the triangle is inverted.
   • The magician inverted the glass without spilling a drop.

   Synonymesflipreverseswaptransposeturn aroundupend

   Antonymesrestorerightstraighten

2. Turn upside down or inside outB2formal

   To turn something so that the top becomes the bottom or the inner part becomes the outer part.

   Retourner

   • She inverted the bowl to cover the cake.
   • The umbrella was inverted by the strong wind.
   • He inverted his pockets to show they were empty.

   Synonymescapsizeflipoverturnreverseturn overupendupset

3. Musical inversionC1formal

   To rearrange the notes of a chord so that a different note is the lowest.

   Renversement d'accord

   • The composer inverted the chord to create a smoother transition.
   • In this piece, the bass line inverts the main melody.
   • The pianist practiced inverting the chords for a richer sound.