reversal
UK[rɪˈvɜːsl]US[rɪˈvɜːrsl]
n
A change to an opposite direction, position, or course of action.
n
An instance of changing a decision, judgment, or process so that it becomes the opposite of what it was.
Morpheme Breakdown
revers
al
revers
to turn back
al
noun suffix
Etymology
The word 'reversal' is built upon the Latin verb revertere, meaning "to turn back," which itself is composed of the prefix re- (back, again) and vertere (to turn). The past participle form reversus was adopted into Anglo-Norman and Middle English, giving rise to the verb 'reverse.' The noun 'reversal' was subsequently formed in the late 15th century by appending the noun-forming suffix -al to this base. Thus, the term's literal logic of "the act of turning back" evolved seamlessly into its modern abstract meanings, encompassing any change to an opposite state, direction, or legal judgment.
Analysis
Structure: revers (to turn back) + al (noun suffix)
- revers: From Latin reversus, the past participle of revertere (to turn back). Its functional role is the core semantic root meaning "to turn back or around."
- al: A suffix of Latin origin (-alis) used to form nouns indicating an action or process. Its functional role is to convert the verb/participle into an abstract noun.
Examples
The sudden reversal of the car took everyone by surprise.
The court's decision was a dramatic reversal of the earlier ruling.
The company suffered a major financial reversal last quarter.