revert

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re·vert / riˈvərt/ • v. [intr.] (revert to) return to (a previous state, condition, practice, etc.): he reverted to his native language. ∎  return to (a previous topic): he ignored her words by reverting to the former subject. ∎  Biol. return to (a former or ancestral type): it is impossible that a fishlike mammal will actually revert to being a true fish. ∎  Law (of property) return or pass to (the original owner) by reversion. ∎  [tr.] archaic turn (one's eyes or steps) back: on reverting our eyes, every step presented some new and admirable scene.DERIVATIVES: re·vert·er n. ( Law ).