Meaning

noun a relation of direct opposition

noun the gears by which the motion of a machine can be reversed

noun an unfortunate happening that hinders or impedes; something that is thwarting or frustrating

originFrom Middle English revers, from Anglo-Norman revers, Middle French revers, and their source, Latin reversus, perfect passive participle of reversō, from re- + versō. Doublet of revers.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 3.0