reversion

[ri-vur-zhuh n, -shuh n] /rɪˈvɜr ʒən, -ʃən/
noun
1.
the act of turning something the reverse way.
2.
the state of being so turned; reversal.
3.
the act of reverting; return to a former practice, belief, condition, etc.
4.
Biology.
  1. reappearance of ancestral characters that have been absent in intervening generations.
  2. return to an earlier or primitive type; atavism.
5.
Law.
  1. the returning of an estate to the grantor or the grantor's heirs after the interest granted expires.
  2. an estate which so returns.
  3. the right of succeeding to an estate.
6.
Archaic. the remains, especially of food or drink after a meal.
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English < Latin reversiōn- (stem of reversiō) a turning back. See reverse, -ion
Related forms
reversionally, adverb
nonreversion, noun
Examples from the web for reversion
  • The fear of reversion back to the present state will take a generation to do away with.
  • In a way, that would be a reversion to historic trends.
  • It may be possible that there is some reversion to virulence, deletions of the relevant genes could theoretically happen.
  • The violence of war represents a reversion to the primitive notion of collective responsibility.
British Dictionary definitions for reversion

reversion

/rɪˈvɜːʃən/
noun
1.
a return to or towards an earlier condition, practice, or belief; act of reverting
2.
the act of reversing or the state of being reversed; reversal
3.
(biology)
  1. the return of individuals, organs, etc, to a more primitive condition or type
  2. the reappearance of primitive characteristics in an individual or group
4.
(property law)
  1. an interest in an estate that reverts to the grantor or his heirs at the end of a period, esp at the end of the life of a grantee
  2. an estate so reverting
  3. the right to succeed to such an estate
5.
the benefit payable on the death of a life-insurance policyholder
Derived Forms
reversionally, adverb
reversionary, reversional, adjective
Word Origin and History for reversion
n.

late 14c., from Old French reversion, from Latin reversionem (nominative reversio) "act of turning back," noun of action from past participle stem of revertere (see revert).

reversion in Medicine

reversion re·ver·sion (rĭ-vûr'zhən)
n.

  1. The return of a trait or characteristic peculiar to a remote ancestor, especially one that has been suppressed for one or more generations.

  2. A return to the normal phenotype, usually by a second mutation.

Encyclopedia Article for reversion

in Anglo-American law, interest held by a prior owner in property given to another, which, upon the happening of some future event, will return to that prior owner. A reversion is itself specific property, and it can be sold or disposed of as property by the reversion owner. One who holds property subject to a reversion interest held by another is under certain obligations as to the use of that property. Generally, such an owner must reasonably protect the property from spoilage or diminution in value, for the sake of the future owner.

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