v. [ad. L. ēvert-ĕre to overturn, f. ē- out + vertĕre to turn.]
† 1. trans. To turn upside down, upset. lit. and fig. Obs. rare.
1601. B. Jonson, Poetaster, IV. iv. (1616), 323. The very thought Euerts my soule, with passion.
1620. Venner, Via Recta, viii. 188. To end the meale with much drinke, doth, by euerting the concoction, cause eructations.
1693. Urquhart, Rabelais, III. Prol. 6. There … did he … evert it [a tub], invert it, subvert it.
† 2. To overthrow (a city, temple, enemy, etc.). Also absol. Obs.
1533. Bellenden, Livy, I. (1822), 53. Legiounis of futemen, to evert and cast doun the foresaid ciete to the ground.
1593. Bilson, Govt. Christ’s Ch., 311. It is easier to euert or disturbe, then to plant or establish a Church or common wealth.
1599. Nashe, Lenten Stuffe, 50. For feare after he had euerted their foes … hee woulde rauen vp them.
1730–1800. in Bailey.
b. fig. To overthrow (an empire, government); to upset (a judgment, argument, doctrine, law, etc.); to frustrate (a purpose); rarely, to overthrow (a person) in argument. Obs. or arch.
1538. Starkey, England, II. ii. 192. The suttylty of one sergeant schal euerte [misprinted enerte] and destroy al the jugementys of many wyse men before tyme receyuyd.
c. 1555. Harpsfield, Divorce Hen. VIII. (1878), 281. He began … to evert his fathers … testament.
1563. Homilies, II. Idolatry, II. (1859), 211. And the noble Empire of Greece clean everted.
1581. Savile, Tacitus’ Agricola (1612), 189. And chiefly his great attempts against Germany turning to nothing, euerted that purpose.
1600. Holland, Livy, VIII. xxx. 303. Then hath the master of horsemen … everted and overthrowne, both Dictatours Majestie and Militarie discipline.
a. 1681. Sir G. Wharton, Fasts & Fest., Wks. (1683), 11. Antiochus Epiphanes … everted the true worship of God.
1686. Goad, Celest. Bodies, II. vii. 244. We have everted that Objection.
1726. Ayliffe, Parergon, 175. The Jurisdiction of the Judge is not yet everted and overthrown.
1849. J. Wilson, in Blackw. Mag., LXVI. 652. I am overthrown—everted—subverted—the contradiction is flagrant.
1872. J. Walker, Scot. Theol. & Theolog., iv. (1888), 100. They clearly evert the fundamentals.
† 3. To draw or turn out of the way; to turn aside. Also fig. Obs.
1578. Banister, Hist. Man, IV. 59. This muscle … hauying in office to euerte the foote to the interiour partes.
1650. Baxter, Saints’ R., I. viii. (1662), 141. The Will is thus everted from the fore-mentioned Objects.
4. To turn the inner surface of (the eyelid, etc.) outwards; to turn inside out.
1804. [see EVERTED ppl. a.].
1821. T. Sandwith, Observ. Med. & Surg., 99. The cheeks drawn downward in such a manner as to evert the lower eye-lids.
1839. Todd, Cycl. Anat., II. 38/1. The gullet and part of the stomach [of starfish] are usually everted, protruded, and applied round the object to be swallowed.
1871. Darwin, Desc. Man, II. xviii. 281. Muscles for everting the sack, and for closing or opening the orifice.
1879. Harlan, Eyesight, v. 51. It is a very simple and easy thing to evert the eyelid.
