I. ˈtərn 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 mankind
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 ˈtər-nə-bəl adjective
•
- turn a blind eye
- turn a deaf ear
- turn a hair
- turn color
- turn heads
- turn loose
- turn one's back on
- turn one's hand
- turn one's head
- turn one's stomach
- turn tail
- turn the other cheek
- turn the tables
- turn the trick
- turn turtle
II. noun
Etymology: Middle English; partly from Anglo-French tur, tourn turning, circuit (from turner to turn); partly from Middle English turnen to turn
Date: 13th century
1.
a. : the action or an act of turning about a center or axis : revolution , rotation
b. : any of various rotating or pivoting movements in dancing or gymnastics
2.
a. : the action or an act of giving or taking a different direction : change of course or posture
an illegal left turn
as
(1) : a drill maneuver in which troops in mass formation change direction without preserving alignment
(2) : any of various shifts of direction in skiing
(3) : an interruption of a curve in figure skating
b. : deflection , deviation
c. : the action or an act of turning so as to face in the opposite direction : reversal of posture or course
an about turn
the turn of the tide
d. : a change effected by turning over to another side
a turn of the cards
e. : a place at which something turns, turns off, or turns back : bend , curve
3. : a short trip out and back or round about
took a turn through the park
4. : an act or deed affecting another especially when incidental or unexpected
one good turn deserves another
5.
a. : a period of action or activity : go , spell
took a turn at the piano
b. : a place, time, or opportunity accorded an individual or unit of a series in simple succession or in a scheduled order
waiting her turn in line
c. : a period or tour of duty : shift
d. : a short act or piece (as for a variety show) ; also : public appearance : performance
makes frequent guest star turn s
e.
(1) : an event in any gambling game after which bets are settled
(2) : the order of the last three cards in faro — used in the phrase call the turn
6. : something that revolves around a center: as
a.
(1) : lathe
(2) : a catch or latch for a cupboard or cabinet door operated by turning a handle
b. : a musical ornament consisting of a group of four or more notes that wind about the principal note by including the notes next above and next below
7. : a special purpose or requirement — used chiefly in the phrase serve one's turn
8.
a. : an act of changing : alteration , modification
a nasty turn in the weather
b. : a change in tendency, trend, or drift
hoped for a turn in his luck
a turn for the better
an unexpected turn of events
c. : the beginning of a new period of time : the time when one period changes to the next
the turn of the century
9.
a. : distinctive quality or character
b. : a fashioning of language or arrangement of words : manner of expression
skillful turn s of phrase
c. : the shape or mold in which something is fashioned : cast
10.
a. : the state or manner of being coiled or twisted
b. : a single round (as of rope passed about an object or of wire wound on a core)
11. : natural or special ability or aptitude : bent , inclination
a turn for logic
an optimistic turn of mind
12. : a special twist, construction, or interpretation
gave the old yarn a new turn
13.
a. : a disordering spell or attack (as of illness, faintness, or dizziness)
b. : a nervous start or shock
snuck up on her and gave her quite a turn
14.
a. : a complete transaction involving a purchase and sale of securities ; also : a profit from such a transaction
b. : turnover 7b
15. : something turned or to be turned: as
a. : a character or slug inverted in setting type
b. : a piece of type placed bottom up
•
- at every turn
- by turns
- in turn
- on the turn
- out of turn
- to a turn