pööratav

Pööratav is an Estonian adjective meaning capable of being turned, rotated, or reversed. It is used for objects, processes, or concepts that can be turned back to their original orientation or state, or that can proceed in the opposite direction under certain conditions.

Etymology: from pöörama “to turn,” with the suffix -atav forming an adjective that denotes capability.

In mathematics and related disciplines, pööratav describes a transformation or matrix that has an inverse. A square matrix A is pööratav if det(A) ≠ 0, and there exists A⁻¹ such that A A⁻¹ = I. Such a transformation can be uniquely undone.

In chemistry, pööratav reaktsioon denotes a reversible chemical reaction, one that can proceed in both the forward and backward directions, with the system reaching equilibrium under given conditions.

In everyday usage and engineering, pööratav describes parts or mechanisms that can be rotated or reoriented around an axis, such as a knob, wheel, or rotating joint.

See also: pöörduv, invertibility, reversible reaction.