An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

To turn upside down.
To reverse in position, order, direction, or relationship.
→ inversion layer.

Etymology (EN): From M.Fr. invertir, from L. invertere “turn upside down, turn about,” from → in- “in, on” + vertere “to turn;”
cf. Pers. gardidan, gaštan “to turn, to change;”
Mid.Pers. vartitan; Av. varət- “to turn, revolve;” Skt. vartati; O.H.G. werden “to become;” PIE base *wer- “to turn, bend.”

Etymology (PE): Vâgardândan, from vâ-, → re-, + gardândan, from gardidan “to turn; to change,”
from Mid.Pers. vartitan;
Av. varət- “to turn, revolve;” cf. Skt. vrt- “to turn, roll,” vartate “it turns round, rolls;” L. vertere “to turn;” O.H.G. werden “to become;” PIE base *wer- “to turn, bend.”
Vârunidan, infinitive of vârun, → inverse.