'To reverse a machine' definitions:

Definition of 'To reverse a machine'

From: GCIDE

Reverse \Re*verse"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Reversed (r[-e]*v[~e]rst");p. pr. & vb. n. Reversing.] [See Reverse, a., and cf. Revert.]
1. To turn back; to cause to face in a contrary direction; to cause to depart. [1913 Webster]
And that old dame said many an idle verse, Out of her daughter's heart fond fancies to reverse. --Spenser. [1913 Webster]
2. To cause to return; to recall. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
And to his fresh remembrance did reverse The ugly view of his deformed crimes. --Spenser. [1913 Webster]
3. To change totally; to alter to the opposite. [1913 Webster]
Reverse the doom of death. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
She reversed the conduct of the celebrated vicar of Bray. --Sir W. Scott. [1913 Webster]
4. To turn upside down; to invert. [1913 Webster]
A pyramid reversed may stand upon his point if balanced by admirable skill. --Sir W. Temple. [1913 Webster]
5. Hence, to overthrow; to subvert. [1913 Webster]
These can divide, and these reverse, the state. --Pope. [1913 Webster]
Custom . . . reverses even the distinctions of good and evil. --Rogers. [1913 Webster]
6. (Law) To overthrow by a contrary decision; to make void; to under or annual for error; as, to reverse a judgment, sentence, or decree. [1913 Webster]
Reverse arms (Mil.), a position of a soldier in which the piece passes between the right elbow and the body at an angle of 45[deg], and is held as in the illustration.
To reverse an engine or To reverse a machine, to cause it to perform its revolutions or action in the opposite direction. [1913 Webster]
Syn: To overturn; overset; invert; overthrow; subvert; repeal; annul; revoke; undo. [1913 Webster]