revert

Where does the word "revert" come from? It comes from Latin revertere, and was adopted directly into English (1300s).

Revert’s story begins in Latin: revertere meant “to turn back.” To turn back, from re- (back) and vertere (to turn). It reached English by 1300s as revert. Settled as the English word for returning to a previous state. Today, revert means to return to a previous state, condition, or practice.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient revertere "to turn back", to turn back, from re- (back) and vertere (to turn).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1300s revert "to return to a previous state or condition", settled as the English word for returning to a previous state.