Emily Dickinson Lexicon

RE-VERSE, n. [revers'.]

1. Change; vicissitude; a turn of affairs; in a good sense. By a strange reverse of things, Justinian's law, which for many ages was neglected, now obtains. – Baker.
2. Change for the worse; misfortune. By an unexpected reverse of circumstances, an affluent man is reduced to poverty.
3. A contrary; an opposite. The performances to which God has annexed the promises of eternity, are just the reverse of all the pursuits of sense. – Rogers.
4. [Fr. revers.] The reverse of a medal or coin is the second or back side, opposite to that on which the head or principal figure is impressed. – Encyc.