/rɪ'vɜ:sl; rɪ`vɝsl/
n [C, U]
1 (instance of) making sth the opposite of what it was; turning around 反转; 倒向; 颠倒
*a dramatic reversal of her earlier decision 她的突然改变决定
* a reversal of the usual procedures, tendencies, opinions 常规的颠倒、趋势的扭转、意见的转变
* (fig 比喻) His luck suffered a cruel reversal, ie change for the worse. 他遭逢厄运.
2 (instance of) exchanging two positions, functions, etc （位置、功能等的）转换
*role reversal/reversal of roles, eg between husband and wife when the husband looks after the house and children while the wife works 角色的转换（如夫妻之间由男方料理家务、照看小孩而女方工作）.

n
[U and C]
a change to an opposite arrangement, process, or way of doing something
→turnaroundreversal of/in
　a sudden reversal of government policy
dramatic/sudden/complete reversal
　a dramatic reversal in population decline
　Some Internet firms have suffered a painful reversal of fortune (=they were successful but now they are not) .
　Some carers and dependants find it difficult to adapt to a role reversal .
[C]
a failure or other problem that prevents you from being able to do what you want
　In spite of setbacks and reversals, his business was at last making money.