n.
Pronunciation: ' t ə rn
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English; partly from Old English tyrnan & turnian to turn, from Medieval Latin tornare, from Latin, to turn on a lathe, from tornus lathe, from Greek tornos; partly from Anglo-French turner, tourner to turn, from Medieval Latin tornare; akin to Latin terere to rub ― more at THROW
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
1 a : to cause to move around an axis or a center : make rotate or revolve < turn a wheel> < turn a crank> b (1) : to cause to move around so as to effect a desired end (as of locking, opening, or shutting) < turn ed the knob till the door opened> (2) : to affect or alter the functioning of (as a mechanical device) or the level of (as sound) by such movement < turn the oven to 400°> < turn the music to full volume> c : to execute or perform by rotating or revolving < turn handsprings> d : to twist out of line or shape : WRENCH <had turn ed his ankle>
2 a (1) : to cause to change position by moving through an arc of a circle < turn ed her chair to the fire> (2) : to cause to move around a center so as to show another side of < turn the page> (3) : to cause (as a scale) to move so as to register weight b : to revolve mentally : think over : PONDER
3 a : to reverse the sides or surfaces of : INVERT < turn pancakes> < turn the shirt inside out>: as (1) : to dig or plow so as to bring the lower soil to the surface < turn the compost weekly> (2) : to make (as a garment) over by reversing the material and resewing < turn a collar> (3) : to invert feet up and face down (as a character, rule, or slug) in setting type b : to reverse or upset the order or disposition of <everything was turn ed topsy-turvy> c : to disturb or upset the mental balance of : DERANGE , UNSETTLE <a mind turn ed by grief> d : to set in another especially contrary direction
4 a : to bend or change the course of : DIVERT <a battle that turn ed the tide of history> b : to cause to retreat <used fire hoses to turn the mob> c : to alter the drift, tendency, or expected result of d : to bend a course around or about : ROUND < turn ed the corner at full speed>
5 a (1) : to direct or point (as the face) in a specified way or direction (2) : to present by a change in direction or position < turn ing his back to his guests> b : to bring to bear (as by aiming, pointing, or focusing) : TRAIN < turn ed the light into the dark doorway> < turn ed a questioning eye toward her> c : to direct (as the attention or mind) toward or away from something d : to direct the employment of : APPLY , DEVOTE < turn ed his skills to the service of humankind> e (1) : to cause to rebound or recoil < turn s their argument against them> (2) : to make antagonistic : PREJUDICE < turn a child against its mother> f (1) : to cause to go in a particular direction < turn ed our steps homeward> (2) : DRIVE , SEND < turn cows to pasture> < turn ing hunters off his land> (3) : to convey or direct out of an inverted receptacle < turn the mixture into a baking dish>
6 a (1) : to make acid or sour (2) : to change the color of (as foliage) b (1) : CONVERT , TRANSFORM < turn defeat into victory> (2) : TRANSLATE , PARAPHRASE c : to cause to become of a specified nature or appearance < turn ed him into a frog> <embarrassment turn ed her face red> d : to exchange for something else < turn coins into paper money> e : to cause to defect to another side
7 a : to shape especially in a rounded form by applying a cutting tool while revolving in a lathe b : to give a rounded form to by any means < turn the heel of a sock> c : to shape or mold artistically, gracefully, or neatly <a well turn ed phrase>
8 : to make a fold, bend, or curve in: a : to form by bending < turn a lead pipe> b : to cause (the edge of a blade) to bend back or over : BLUNT , DULL
9 a : to keep (as money or goods) moving specifically : to dispose of (a stock) to make room for another b : to gain in the course of business < turn ing a quick profit> c : to make use of < turn ed her education to advantage> d : to carry to completion : PULL OFF < turn ed a double play> < turn a deal>
10 : to engage in (an act of prostitution) < turn tricks>
intransitive verb
1 a : to move around on an axis or through an arc of a circle : ROTATE b : to become giddy or dizzy : SPIN <heights always made his head turn > c (1) : to have as a decisive factor : HINGE <the argument turn s on a point of logic> <the outcome of the game turn ed on an interception> (2) : to have a center (as of interest) in something specified <the discussion turn ed on the overall worth of the project> (3) : to become focused on something specified <the conversation turn ed to baseball>
2 a : to direct one's course b (1) : to reverse a course or direction <the tide has turn ed > (2) : to have a reactive usually adverse effect c : to take a different course or direction < turn ed toward home> <the main road turn s sharply to the right>
3 a : to change position (as of one's head) so as to face another way <everyone turn ed to stare> b : to face toward or away from someone or something <flowers turn toward the light> c : to change one's attitude or reverse one's course of action to one of opposition or hostility <felt the world had turn ed against him> d : to make a sudden violent assault especially without evident cause <dogs turn ing on their owners>
4 a : to direct one's attention to or away from someone or something b (1) : to change one's religion (2) : to go over to another side or party : DEFECT c : to have recourse : REFER , RESORT < turn ed to a friend for help> < turn ed to his notes for the exact figures> d : to direct one's efforts or activity : devote or apply oneself < turn ed to the study of the law> < turn ed to a life of crime>
5 a : to become changed, altered, or transformed <the weather turn ed >: as (1) archaic : to become different (2) : to change color <the leaves have turn ed > (3) : to become sour, rancid, or tainted <the milk had turn ed > (4) : to be variable or inconstant (5) : to become mentally unbalanced : become deranged b (1) : to pass from one state to another : CHANGE <water had turn ed to ice> (2) : BECOME , GROW <his hair had turn ed gray> <the weather turn ed bad> <just turn ed twenty> (3) : to become someone or something specified by change from another state : change into < turn pro> <doctors turn ed authors> (4) : to change by the passage of time <days turn ed into weeks and months>
6 : to become curved or bent (as from pressure) especially : to become blunted by bending <the edge of the knife had turn ed >
7 : to operate a lathe
8 of merchandise : to be stocked and disposed of : change hands
– turn · able \ ' t ə r-n ə -b ə l \ adjective
– turn a blind eye : to refuse to see : be oblivious <might turn a blind eye to the use of violence ― Arthur Krock>
– turn a deaf ear : to refuse to listen
– turn a hair : to give a sign of distress or disturbance <did not turn a hair when told of the savage murder ― Times Lit. Supp. >
– turn color
1 : to become of a different color
2 a : BLUSH , FLUSH b : to grow pale
– turn heads : to attract favorable attention <the car's sleek design is bound to turn heads >
– turn loose
1 a : to set free < turned loose the captured animal> b : to free from all restraints < turned them loose with a pile of theme paper to write whatever they liked ― Elizabeth P. Schafer>
2 : to fire off : DISCHARGE
3 : to open fire
– turn one's back on
1 : REJECT , DENY <would be turning one's back on history ― Pius Walsh>
2 : FORSAKE < turned his back on his obligations>
– turn one's hand or turn a hand : to set to work : apply oneself
– turn one's head : to cause to become infatuated or conceited <success had not turned his head >
– turn one's stomach : to disgust completely : SICKEN , NAUSEATE <the foul smell turned his stomach >
– turn tail : to turn away so as to flee < turned tail and ran>
– turn the other cheek : to respond to injury or unkindness with patience : forgo retaliation
– turn the tables : to bring about a reversal of the relative conditions or fortunes of two contending parties
– turn the trick : to bring about the desired result or effect
– turn turtle : CAPSIZE , OVERTURN