Inverse \In*verse"\, a. [L. inversus, p. p. of invertere: cf. F.
   inverse. See Invert.]
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   1. Opposite in order, relation, or effect; reversed;
      inverted; reciprocal; -- opposed to direct.
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   2. (Bot.) Inverted; having a position or mode of attachment
      the reverse of that which is usual.
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   3. (Math.) Opposite in nature and effect; -- said with
      reference to any two operations, which, when both are
      performed in succession upon any quantity, reproduce that
      quantity; as, multiplication is the inverse operation to
      division. The symbol of an inverse operation is the symbol
      of the direct operation with -1 as an index. Thus sin-1 x
      means the arc or angle whose sine is x.
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   Inverse figures (Geom.), two figures, such that each point
      of either figure is inverse to a corresponding point in
      the order figure.

   Inverse points (Geom.), two points lying on a line drawn
      from the center of a fixed circle or sphere, and so
      related that the product of their distances from the
      center of the circle or sphere is equal to the square of
      the radius.

   Inverse ratio, or Reciprocal ratio (Math.), the ratio of
      the reciprocals of two quantities.

   Inverse proportion, or Reciprocal proportion, an equality
      between a direct ratio and a reciprocal ratio; thus, 4 : 2
      : : 1/3 : 1/6, or 4 : 2 : : 3 : 6, inversely.
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