WordGarden.ioevert
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /ˈɛvət/
US
- /ɪˈvɜrt/
Meanings
Verb
to turn a body or biological structure outward or inside out
Beyond the definition
Imagine a glove. To evert it is to turn it inside out so that the inner lining faces outward. The word is most often used in medical and biological contexts. A doctor may evert an eyelid to check for dust, or a body part may be described as everted when it turns outward from its usual position. The word comes from the Latin evertere, meaning "to turn out."
To evert something is to turn it outward or inside out, so that the inner surface comes to the outside. It is most commonly used in medical, biological, and anatomical writing. Doctors may evert an eyelid during an exam, and textbooks may describe tissue, a membrane, or an organ as everted when it has folded or rolled outward from its usual position.
The image is very physical. You can picture a glove turned inside out, or a layer of tissue gently folded back so the part normally hidden can be seen. In biology, some animals can evert part of the body as part of feeding or defense. In medicine, the word often helps describe position and movement with precision.
Outside technical contexts, this word is uncommon. Older writing may use it in a broader sense like "overturn," but that use is rare in modern English. Today, if you see evert, it usually refers to a literal outward turning rather than a figurative change in ideas or society.
Examples
- 1
Medical exam
The doctor gently everted the upper eyelid to look for a trapped eyelash.
- Usage
used mainly in medical English
- 2
Medical training
The nurse was taught how to evert an eyelid without hurting the patient.
- 3
Surgery
During the operation, the surgeon everted the wound edges before stitching them together.
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- evertnounverb