retrovert - Meaning, Image, Examples & Etymology - Learn English Visually

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retrovert

|re-tro-vert|

🇺🇸

/ˌrɛtrəˈvɝt/

🇬🇧

/ˌrɛtrəˈvɜːt/

turn back

Etymology

Etymology Information

'retrovert' originates from Latin, specifically the verb 'retrovertere' (from 'retro-' + 'vertere'), where 'retro-' meant 'back' and 'vertere' meant 'to turn'.

Historical Evolution

'retrovert' came into English via Medieval/Scientific Latin 'retrovertere' and was borrowed into English usage from Latin formations (used in medical and technical contexts) as 'retrovert' in the 17th–19th centuries.

Meaning Changes

Initially, it meant 'to turn back' in Latin, and over time it retained this core sense in English, now used both generally and in medical/technical contexts to mean 'turn or tilt backward'.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Verb 1

to turn or cause to turn backward; to bend back

The surgeon retroverted the uterus during the procedure to improve access.

Synonyms

turn backtilt backbend backreverse

Antonyms

anteverttilt forwardturn forward

Verb 2

(intransitive, medical) to become tilted or turned backward (used of an organ, esp. the uterus)

After childbirth, her uterus may retrovert for a time.

Synonyms