An independent Scotland could revert to an old Scottish currency pegged to the pound sterling. These sample sentences are automatically selected from various online information sources to reflect the current use of the word “go back”. The views expressed in the examples do not represent the views of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us your feedback. The country returned to the council after the collapse of the charity that had maintained it. Middle English, from Anglo-French revertir, from Latin revertere, transitive verb, “reverse” & reverti, intransitive verb, “to return, to return”, from re- + vertere, verti “to turn” – more valuable to reverse is to return. Thus, if the owner of a property has granted a smaller estate to another person, when determining the latter succession, the land is said to “revert” to the settlor. Gently reverse; to return to a previous state or state. In terms of ownership, when the property reverts to the possession of the previous owner. Supported by Black`s Law Dictionary, Free 2nd ed., and The Law Dictionary. (land, buildings or other property) to be returned by restitution to the original owner.