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turn
13 dictionary results for: Turn
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
turn       [turn] Pronunciation Key
–verb (used with object)
1.to cause to move around on an axis or about a center; rotate: to turn a wheel.
2.to cause to move around or partly around, as for the purpose of opening, closing, or tightening: to turn a key; to turn the cap of a jar.
3.to reverse the position or placement of: to turn a page; to turn an egg; to turn a person around.
4.to bring the lower layers of (sod, soil, etc.) to the surface, as in plowing.
5.to change the position of, by or as if by rotating; move into a different position: to turn the handle one notch.
6.to change or alter the course of; divert; deflect: He turned the blow with his arm.
7.to change the focus or tendency of: She skillfully turned the conversation away from so unpleasant a subject.
8.to reverse the progress of; cause to retreat: The police turned the advancing rioters by firing over their heads.
9.to change or alter the nature, character, or appearance of: Worry turned his hair gray.
10.to change or convert (usually fol. by into or to): to turn water into ice; to turn tears into laughter.
11.to render or make by some change: Fear turned him cowardly and craven.
12.to change the color of (leaves).
13.to cause to become sour, to ferment, or the like: Warm weather turns milk.
14.to cause (the stomach) to reject food, liquid, etc.; affect with nausea.
15.to change from one language or form of expression to another; translate.
16.to put or apply to some use or purpose: He turned his mind to practical matters.
17.to go or pass around or to the other side of: to turn a street corner.
18.to get beyond or pass (a certain age, time, amount, etc.): His son just turned four.
19.to direct, aim, or set toward, away from, or in a specified direction: to turn the car toward the center of town; to turn one's back to the audience.
20.to direct (the eyes, face, etc.) another way; avert.
21.to shape (a piece of metal, wood, etc.) into rounded form with a cutting tool while rotating the piece on a lathe.
22.to bring into a rounded or curved form in any way.
23.to shape artistically or gracefully, esp. in rounded form.
24.to form or express gracefully: to turn a phrase well.
25.to direct (thought, attention, desire, etc.) toward or away from something.
26.to cause to go; send; drive: to turn a person from one's door.
27.to revolve in the mind; ponder (often fol. by over): He turned the idea over a couple of times before acting on it.
28.to persuade (a person) to change or reorder the course of his or her life.
29.to cause to be prejudiced against: to turn a son against his father.
30.to maintain a steady flow or circulation of (money or articles of commerce).
31.to earn or gain: He turned a huge profit on the sale.
32.to reverse or remake (a garment, shirt collar, etc.) so that the inner side becomes the outer.
33.to pour from one container into another by inverting.
34.to curve, bend, or twist.
35.to twist out of position or sprain; wrench: He turned his ankle.
36.to bend back or blunt (the edge of a blade).
37.to perform (a gymnastic feat) by rotating or revolving: to turn a somersault.
38.to disturb the mental balance of; distract; derange.
39.to disorder or upset the placement or condition of: He turned the room upside down.
40.Obsolete.
a.to convert.
b.to pervert.
–verb (used without object)
41.to move around on an axis or about a center; rotate.
42.to move partly around through the arc of a circle, as a door on a hinge.
43.to hinge or depend (usually fol. by on or upon): The question turns on this point.
44.to direct or set one's course toward, away from, or in a particular direction.
45.to direct the face or gaze toward or away from someone or something.
46.to direct one's thought, attention, desire, etc., toward or away from someone or something.
47.to give or apply one's interest, attention, effort, etc., to something; pursue: He turned to the study and practice of medicine.
48.to change or reverse a course so as to go in a different or the opposite direction: to turn to the right.
49.to change position so as to face in a different or the opposite direction.
50.to change or reverse position or posture as by a rotary motion.
51.to shift the body about as if on an axis: to turn on one's side while sleeping.
52.to assume a curved form; bend.
53.to become blunted or dulled by bending, as the cutting edge of a knife or saw.
54.to be affected with nausea, as the stomach.
55.to be affected with giddiness or dizziness; have a sensation of whirling or reeling.
56.to adopt religion, a manner of life, etc., esp. as differing from a previous position or attitude: He turned to Christianity in his old age.
57.to change or transfer one's loyalties; defect: He turned from the Democrats and joined the Republicans.
58.to change an attitude or policy: to turn in favor of someone; to turn against a person.
59.to change or alter, as in nature, character, or appearance.
60.to become sour, rancid, fermented, or the like, as milk or butter.
61.to change color: The leaves began to turn in October.
62.to change so as to be; become: a lawyer turned poet; to turn pale.
63.to become mentally unbalanced or distracted.
64.to put about or tack, as a ship.
65.Journalism. (of copy) to run either from the bottom of the last column on one page to the top of the first column on the following page or from one column on a page to the expected place in the next column on the page (opposed to jump).
–noun
66.a movement of partial or total rotation: a slight turn of the handle.
67.an act of changing or reversing position or posture, as by a rotary movement: a turn of the head.
68.a time or opportunity for action which comes in due rotation or order to each of a number of persons, animals, etc.: It's my turn to pay the bill.
69.an act of changing or reversing the course or direction: to make a turn to the right.
70.a place or point at which such a change occurs.
71.a place where a road, river, or the like turns; bend: About a mile ahead, you'll come to a turn in the road.
72.a single revolution, as of a wheel.
73.an act of turning so as to face or go in a different direction.
74.direction, drift, or trend: The conversation took an interesting turn.
75.any change, as in nature, character, condition, affairs, circumstances, etc.; alteration; modification: a turn for the better.
76.the point or time of change.
77.the time during which a worker or a set of workers is at work in alternation with others.
78.that which is done by each of a number of persons acting in rotation or succession.
79.rounded or curved form.
80.the shape or mold in which something is formed or cast.
81.a passing or twisting of one thing around another, as of a rope around a mast.
82.the state of or a manner of being twisted.
83.a single circular or convoluted shape, as of a coiled or wound rope.
84.a small latch operated by a turning knob or lever.
85.style, as of expression or language.
86.a distinctive form or style imparted: a happy turn of expression.
87.a short walk, ride, or the like out and back, esp. by different routes: Let's go for a turn in the park.
88.a natural inclination, bent, tendency, or aptitude: one's turn of mind.
89.a spell or period of work; shift.
90.a spell or bout of action or activity, esp. in wrestling.
91.an attack of illness or the like.
92.an act of service or disservice: He once did her a good turn. She repaid it with a bad turn.
93.requirement, exigency, or need: This will serve your turn.
94.treatment or rendering, esp. with reference to the form or content of a work of literature, art, etc.; twist: He gave the story a new turn.
95.Informal. a nervous shock, as from fright or astonishment: It certainly gave me quite a turn to see him.
96.Stock Exchange. a complete securities transaction that includes both a purchase and sale.
97.Music. a melodic embellishment or grace, commonly consisting of a principal tone with two auxiliary tones, one above and the other below it.
98.Chiefly British. an individual stage performance, esp. in a vaudeville theater or music hall.
99.Military. a drill movement by which a formation changes fronts.
100.a contest or round; a bout, as in wrestling.
—Verb phrases
101.turn back,
a.to retrace one's footsteps; turn around to return.
b.to cause to go no further or to return, as by not welcoming; send away.
c.to fold (a blanket, sheet of paper, etc.) on itself: Turn back the page to keep the place.
102.turn down,
a.to turn over; fold down.
b.to lower in intensity; lessen.
c.to refuse or reject (a person, request, etc.): The Marine Corps turned him down.
103.turn in,
a.to hand in; submit: to turn in a resignation.
b.to inform on or deliver up: She promptly turned him in to the police.
c.to turn from one path or course into another; veer.
d.Informal. to go to bed; retire: I never turn in before eleven o'clock.
104.turn into,
a.to drive a vehicle or to walk into (a street, store, etc.): We turned into the dead-end street. He turned into the saloon at the corner.
b.to be changed, transformed, or converted into: He has turned into a very pleasant fellow. The caterpillar turned into a butterfly.
105.turn off,
a.to stop the flow of (water, gas, etc.), as by closing a faucet or valve.
b.to extinguish (a light).
c.to divert; deflect.
d.to diverge or branch off, as a side road from a main road.
e.to drive a vehicle or walk onto (a side road) from a main road: You turn off at 96th Street. Turn off the highway on the dirt road.
f.Slang. to stop listening: You could see him turn off as the speaker droned on.
g.Slang. to disaffect, alienate, or disgust.
h.Chiefly British. to discharge an employee.
106.turn on,
a.to cause (water, gas, etc.) to flow, as by opening a valve.
b.to switch on (a light).
c.to put into operation; activate.
d.to start suddenly to affect or show: She turned on the charm and won him over.
e.Slang. to induce (a person) to start taking a narcotic drug.
f.Slang. to take a narcotic drug.
g.Slang. to arouse or excite the interest of; engage: the first lecture that really turned me on.
h.Slang. to arouse sexually.
i.Also, turn upon. to become suddenly hostile to: The dog turned on its owner.
107.turn out,
a.to extinguish (a light).
b.to produce as the result of labor: She turned out four tapestries a year.
c.to drive out; dismiss; discharge: a premier turned out of office.
d.to fit out; dress; equip.
e.to result; issue.
f.to come to be; become ultimately.
g.to be found or known; prove.
h.to be present at; appear.
i.Informal. to get out of bed.
j.Nautical. to order (a seaman or seamen) from quarters for duty.
k.to cause to turn outward, as the toes.
108.turn over,
a.to move or be moved from one side to another.
b.to put in reverse position; invert.
c.to consider; meditate; ponder.
d.to transfer; give.
e.to start (an engine): He turned over the car motor.
f.(of an engine) to start: The motor turned over without any trouble.
g.Commerce. to purchase and then sell (goods or commodities).
h.Commerce. to do business or sell goods to the amount of (a specified sum).
i.Commerce. to invest or recover (capital) in some transaction or in the course of business.
109.turn to,
a.to apply to for aid; appeal to: When he was starting out as an artist he turned to his friends for loans.
b.to begin to attend to or work at something: After the storm we turned to and cleaned up the debris.
c.to change to: The ice turned to water.
110.turn up,
a.to fold (material, a hem, cuffs, etc.) up or over in order to alter a garment.
b.to bring to the surface by digging: to turn up a shovelful of earth.
c.to uncover; find.
d.to intensify or increase.
e.to happen; occur: Let's wait and see what turns up.
f.to appear; arrive: She turned up at the last moment.
g.to be recovered: I'm sure your watch will turn up eventually.
h.to come to notice; be seen.
—Idioms
111.at every turn, in every case or instance; constantly: We met with kindness at every turn.
112.by turns, one after another; in rotation or succession; alternately: They did their shopping and cleaning by turns.
113.hand's turn, a period or piece of work: It won't be necessary for you to do a hand's turn yourself, but rather to supervise.
114.in turn, in due order of succession: Each generation in turn must grapple with the same basic problems.
115.on the turn, on the verge or in the process of turning; changing: She said she hoped to be alive to see the century on the turn.
116.out of turn,
a.not in the correct succession; out of proper order.
b.at an unsuitable time; imprudently; indiscreetly: He spoke out of turn and destroyed the cordial atmosphere of the meeting.
117.take turns, to succeed one another in order; rotate; alternate: They took turns walking the dog.
118.to a turn, to just the proper degree; to perfection: The steak was done to a turn.
119.turn and turn about or turn about, by turns: They fought the fire, turn and turn about, until daybreak.
120.turn one's hand to. hand (def. 87).
121.turn the tables. table (def. 24).
122.turn the tide. tide1 (def. 16).
[Origin: bef. 1000; (v.) ME turnen, partly continuing OE turnian, tyrnan < L tornāre to turn in a lathe, round off (deriv. of tornus lathe < Gk tórnos tool for making circles), partly < OF torner, t(o)urner < L, as above; (n.) ME, partly deriv. of the v., partly < AF *torn, t(o)urn; OF tor, t(o)ur < L tornus, as above]

—Related forms
turn·a·ble, adjective

—Synonyms 9. metamorphose, transmute, transform. 23, 24. fashion, mold. 41. Turn, revolve, rotate, spin indicate moving in a more or less rotary, circular fashion. Turn is the general and popular word for motion on an axis or around a center, but it is used also of motion that is less than a complete circle: A gate turns on its hinges. Revolve refers esp. to movement in an orbit around a center, but is sometimes exchangeable with rotate, which refers only to the motion of a body around its own center or axis: The moon revolves about the earth. The earth rotates on its axis. To spin is to rotate very rapidly: A top spins. 66. spin, gyration, revolution. 75. deviation, bend, twist, vicissitude, variation. 88. talent, proclivity. Turn, cast, twist are colloquial in use and imply a bent, inclination, or habit. Turn means a tendency or inclination for something: a turn for art. Cast means an established habit of thought, manner, or style: a melancholy cast. Twist means a bias: a strange twist of thought.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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turn       (tûrn)  Pronunciation Key 
v.   turned, turn·ing, turns

v.   tr.
  1. To cause to move around an axis or center; cause to rotate or revolve.
  2. To cause to move around in order to achieve a result, such as opening, closing, tightening, or loosening: turn the key; turn a screw.
  3. To alter or control the functioning of (a mechanical device, for example) by the use of a rotating or similar movement: turned the iron to a hotter setting.
  4. To perform or accomplish by rotating or revolving: turn a somersault.
    1. To change the position of so that the underside becomes the upper side: turn the steak; turn a page.
    2. To spade or plow (soil) to bring the undersoil to the surface.
    3. To reverse and resew the material of (a collar, for example).
    4. To give a rounded form to (wood, for example) by rotating against a cutting tool.
    5. To give a rounded shape to (clay, for example) by rotating and shaping with the hands or tools.
    6. To give a rounded form to: turn a heel in knitting a sock.
    7. To give distinctive, artistic, or graceful form to: "They know precisely how to turn a dramatic line or phrase that is guaranteed to make the evening news" (William Safire).
    8. To change the position of by traversing an arc of a circle; pivot: turned his chair toward the speaker.
    9. To present in a specified direction by rotating or pivoting: turn one's face to the wall.
    10. To cause (a scale) to move up or down so as to register weight: Even a feather will turn a delicate scale.
    11. To fold, bend, or twist (something).
    12. To change the position or disposition of by folding, bending, or twisting: Turn the design right side up on your jacket buttons. Turn the hat inside out.
    13. To make a bend or curve in: strong enough to turn a bar of steel.
    14. To blunt or dull (the edge of a cutting instrument).
    15. To injure by twisting: turn an ankle.
    16. To upset or make nauseated: That story turns my stomach.
    17. To divert or deflect: turn a stampede.
    18. To reverse the course of; cause to retreat: "Then turn your forces from this paltry siege/And stir them up against a mightier task" (Shakespeare).
    19. To aim or focus: turn one's gaze to the sky; turned the camera on the speaker.
    20. To devote or apply (oneself, for example) to something: She turned herself to law.
    21. To make use of: turned the situation to our advantage.
    22. To get by buying and selling: turn a fair profit.
  6. To revolve in the mind; meditate on; ponder.
    1. To give a rounded form to (wood, for example) by rotating against a cutting tool.
    2. To give a rounded shape to (clay, for example) by rotating and shaping with the hands or tools.
    3. To give a rounded form to: turn a heel in knitting a sock.
    4. To give distinctive, artistic, or graceful form to: "They know precisely how to turn a dramatic line or phrase that is guaranteed to make the evening news" (William Safire).
    5. To change the position of by traversing an arc of a circle; pivot: turned his chair toward the speaker.
    6. To present in a specified direction by rotating or pivoting: turn one's face to the wall.
    7. To cause (a scale) to move up or down so as to register weight: Even a feather will turn a delicate scale.
    8. To fold, bend, or twist (something).
    9. To change the position or disposition of by folding, bending, or twisting: Turn the design right side up on your jacket buttons. Turn the hat inside out.
    10. To make a bend or curve in: strong enough to turn a bar of steel.
    11. To blunt or dull (the edge of a cutting instrument).
    12. To injure by twisting: turn an ankle.
    13. To upset or make nauseated: That story turns my stomach.
    14. To divert or deflect: turn a stampede.
    15. To reverse the course of; cause to retreat: "Then turn your forces from this paltry siege/And stir them up against a mightier task" (Shakespeare).
    16. To aim or focus: turn one's gaze to the sky; turned the camera on the speaker.
    17. To devote or apply (oneself, for example) to something: She turned herself to law.
    18. To make use of: turned the situation to our advantage.
    19. To get by buying and selling: turn a fair profit.
    1. To change the position of by traversing an arc of a circle; pivot: turned his chair toward the speaker.
    2. To present in a specified direction by rotating or pivoting: turn one's face to the wall.
    3. To cause (a scale) to move up or down so as to register weight: Even a feather will turn a delicate scale.
    4. To fold, bend, or twist (something).
    5. To change the position or disposition of by folding, bending, or twisting: Turn the design right side up on your jacket buttons. Turn the hat inside out.
    6. To make a bend or curve in: strong enough to turn a bar of steel.
    7. To blunt or dull (the edge of a cutting instrument).
    8. To injure by twisting: turn an ankle.
    9. To upset or make nauseated: That story turns my stomach.
    10. To divert or deflect: turn a stampede.
    11. To reverse the course of; cause to retreat: "Then turn your forces from this paltry siege/And stir them up against a mightier task" (Shakespeare).
    12. To aim or focus: turn one's gaze to the sky; turned the camera on the speaker.
    13. To devote or apply (oneself, for example) to something: She turned herself to law.
    14. To make use of: turned the situation to our advantage.
    15. To get by buying and selling: turn a fair profit.
    1. To fold, bend, or twist (something).
    2. To change the position or disposition of by folding, bending, or twisting: Turn the design right side up on your jacket buttons. Turn the hat inside out.
    3. To make a bend or curve in: strong enough to turn a bar of steel.
    4. To blunt or dull (the edge of a cutting instrument).
    5. To injure by twisting: turn an ankle.
    6. To upset or make nauseated: That story turns my stomach.
    7. To divert or deflect: turn a stampede.
    8. To reverse the course of; cause to retreat: "Then turn your forces from this paltry siege/And stir them up against a mightier task" (Shakespeare).
    9. To aim or focus: turn one's gaze to the sky; turned the camera on the speaker.
    10. To devote or apply (oneself, for example) to something: She turned herself to law.
    11. To make use of: turned the situation to our advantage.
    12. To get by buying and selling: turn a fair profit.
  10. To change the direction or course of: turn the car to the left.
    1. To divert or deflect: turn a stampede.
    2. To reverse the course of; cause to retreat: "Then turn your forces from this paltry siege/And stir them up against a mightier task" (Shakespeare).
    3. To aim or focus: turn one's gaze to the sky; turned the camera on the speaker.
    4. To devote or apply (oneself, for example) to something: She turned herself to law.
    5. To make use of: turned the situation to our advantage.
    6. To get by buying and selling: turn a fair profit.
  12. To make a course around or about: turn a corner.
  13. To change the purpose, intention, or content of by persuasion or influence: Her speech turned my thinking.
  14. To change the order or disposition of; unsettle: "Sudden prosperity had turned [his] head" (Thomas Macaulay).
    1. To aim or focus: turn one's gaze to the sky; turned the camera on the speaker.
    2. To devote or apply (oneself, for example) to something: She turned herself to law.
    3. To make use of: turned the situation to our advantage.
    4. To get by buying and selling: turn a fair profit.
  16. To cause to act or go against; make antagonistic: The scandal turned public opinion against the candidate.
  17. To cause to go in a specific direction; direct: They turned their steps toward home.
  18. To send, drive, or let go: turn the bully out of the bar; turned the dog loose.
  19. To pour, let fall, or otherwise release (contents) from or into a receptacle: Turn the dough onto a floured board.
  20. To cause to take on a specified character, nature, identity, or appearance; change or transform. Used with to or into: water that had been turned to ice; turn a rundown house into a show place.
  21. To make sour; ferment: Lack of refrigeration turned the milk.
  22. To affect or change the color of: Autumn turns the green leaves golden.
  23. To exchange; convert. Used with to or into: turns her singing talent into extra money.
  24. To keep in circulation; sell and restock: We turned a great deal of merchandise during the holidays.
    1. To make use of: turned the situation to our advantage.
    2. To get by buying and selling: turn a fair profit.
  26. To perform successfully; complete: turn a double play.
  27. Slang To perform (an act of prostitution): turning tricks.

v.   intr.
  1. To move around an axis or center; rotate or revolve.
  2. To have a sensation of revolving or whirling, especially as a result of dizziness or giddiness.
  3. To change position from side to side or back and forth: I tossed and turned all night.
  4. To progress through pages so as to arrive at a given place: Please turn to page 31.
    1. To operate a lathe.
    2. To be formed on a lathe: a softwood that turns easily.
    3. To change so as to be; become: His hair turned gray. I am a lawyer turned novelist.
    4. To change; become transformed. Used with to or into: The sky turned to pink at dawn. The night turned into day.
    5. To reach and pass (a certain age, for example): My niece has turned two.
  6. To direct one's way or course: The truck turned into the gas station. Turn off the highway at the next exit.
  7. To change or reverse one's way, course, or direction: Too tired to go farther, we turned toward home.
  8. To have a specific reaction or effect, especially when adverse.
  9. To change one's actions or attitudes adversely; become hostile or antagonistic: The peasants turned against the cruel king.
  10. To attack suddenly and violently with no apparent motive: The lion turned on the animal trainer.
  11. To channel one's attention, interest, or thought toward or away from something: "In the spring a young man's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love" (Tennyson).
  12. To devote or apply oneself to something, as to a field of study: Unsuccessful in math, the student turned to biology.
  13. To convert to a religion.
  14. To switch one's loyalty from one side or party to another.
  15. To have recourse to a person or thing for help, support, or information.
  16. To depend on something for success or failure; hinge: "The election would turn not on ideology but on competence" (George F. Will).
    1. To change so as to be; become: His hair turned gray. I am a lawyer turned novelist.
    2. To change; become transformed. Used with to or into: The sky turned to pink at dawn. The night turned into day.
    3. To reach and pass (a certain age, for example): My niece has turned two.
  18. To become sour: The milk will turn if you don't refrigerate it.
  19. To change color: The leaves have turned.
  20. To be stocked and sold: This merchandise will turn easily.
  21. To become dull or blunt by bending back. Used of the edge of a cutting instrument.

n.  
  1. The act of turning or the condition of being turned; rotation or revolution.
  2. A change of direction, motion, or position: Make a left turn at the corner.
  3. A place, as in a road or path, where a change in direction occurs; a curve: a sharp turn in the road.
  4. A departure or deviation, as in a trend: a strange turn of events.
  5. A point marking the end of one period of time and the beginning of the next: the turn of the century.
    1. A chance or opportunity.
    2. One of a series of such opportunities accorded people in succession or in scheduled order: waiting for her next turn at bat.
    3. An attack of illness or severe nervousness.
    4. Informal A momentary shock or scare: I had quite a turn when I heard the crash.
    5. A movement or development in a particular direction: a turn for the worse.
    6. A variation of a given kind or type: "His muse occasionally takes a humorous and satirical turn" (Albert C. Baugh).
    7. A winding of one thing about another.
    8. A single wind or convolution, as of wire on a spool.
    9. To affect with dislike, displeasure, or revulsion: That song really turns me off.
    10. To affect with boredom: The play turned the audience off.
    11. To lose or cause to lose interest; withdraw: turning off to materialism.
    12. To cease paying attention to: The student turned off the boring lecture and daydreamed.
    13. To take or cause to take a mind-altering drug, especially for the first time.
    14. To be or cause to become interested, pleasurably excited, or stimulated. Often used with to: My aunt turned me on to jazz. She turned on to surfing this summer.
    15. To excite or become excited sexually.
    16. To shift the position of, as by rolling from one side to the other.
    17. To shift one's position by rolling from one side to the other.
    18. To find: She turned up the missing keys under her briefcase.
    19. To be found: The papers will turn up sooner or later.
  7. A period of participation: a turn at wrestling.
    1. An attack of illness or severe nervousness.
    2. Informal A momentary shock or scare: I had quite a turn when I heard the crash.
    3. A movement or development in a particular direction: a turn for the worse.
    4. A variation of a given kind or type: "His muse occasionally takes a humorous and satirical turn" (Albert C. Baugh).
    5. A winding of one thing about another.
    6. A single wind or convolution, as of wire on a spool.
    7. To affect with dislike, displeasure, or revulsion: That song really turns me off.
    8. To affect with boredom: The play turned the audience off.
    9. To lose or cause to lose interest; withdraw: turning off to materialism.
    10. To cease paying attention to: The student turned off the boring lecture and daydreamed.
    11. To take or cause to take a mind-altering drug, especially for the first time.
    12. To be or cause to become interested, pleasurably excited, or stimulated. Often used with to: My aunt turned me on to jazz. She turned on to surfing this summer.
    13. To excite or become excited sexually.
    14. To shift the position of, as by rolling from one side to the other.
    15. To shift one's position by rolling from one side to the other.
    16. To find: She turned up the missing keys under her briefcase.
    17. To be found: The papers will turn up sooner or later.
  9. A characteristic mood, style, or habit; a natural inclination: an inquisitive turn of mind.
  10. A propensity or adeptness: She has a turn for carpentry.
  11. A distinctive, graceful, or artistic expression or arrangement of words: the poetic turn of a phrase.
    1. A movement or development in a particular direction: a turn for the worse.
    2. A variation of a given kind or type: "His muse occasionally takes a humorous and satirical turn" (Albert C. Baugh).
    3. A winding of one thing about another.
    4. A single wind or convolution, as of wire on a spool.
    5. To affect with dislike, displeasure, or revulsion: That song really turns me off.
    6. To affect with boredom: The play turned the audience off.
    7. To lose or cause to lose interest; withdraw: turning off to materialism.
    8. To cease paying attention to: The student turned off the boring lecture and daydreamed.
    9. To take or cause to take a mind-altering drug, especially for the first time.
    10. To be or cause to become interested, pleasurably excited, or stimulated. Often used with to: My aunt turned me on to jazz. She turned on to surfing this summer.
    11. To excite or become excited sexually.
    12. To shift the position of, as by rolling from one side to the other.
    13. To shift one's position by rolling from one side to the other.
    14. To find: She turned up the missing keys under her briefcase.
    15. To be found: The papers will turn up sooner or later.
  13. A deed or action having a good or bad effect on another: "He thought some friend had done him an ill turn" (Stephen Crane).
  14. Advantage or purpose: It served his turn.
  15. A short walk or excursion out and back: took a turn in the park.
  16. A distortion in shape.
  17. The condition of being twisted or wound.
    1. A winding of one thing about another.
    2. A single wind or convolution, as of wire on a spool.
    3. To affect with dislike, displeasure, or revulsion: That song really turns me off.
    4. To affect with boredom: The play turned the audience off.
    5. To lose or cause to lose interest; withdraw: turning off to materialism.
    6. To cease paying attention to: The student turned off the boring lecture and daydreamed.
    7. To take or cause to take a mind-altering drug, especially for the first time.
    8. To be or cause to become interested, pleasurably excited, or stimulated. Often used with to: My aunt turned me on to jazz. She turned on to surfing this summer.
    9. To excite or become excited sexually.
    10. To shift the position of, as by rolling from one side to the other.
    11. To shift one's position by rolling from one side to the other.
    12. To find: She turned up the missing keys under her briefcase.
    13. To be found: The papers will turn up sooner or later.
  19. Something that winds or turns around a center axis.
  20. Music A figure or ornament, usually consisting of four or more notes in rapid succession and including the principal note, the one a degree above it, and the one a degree below it.
  21. A brief theatrical act or stage appearance.
  22. A transaction on the stock market involving both a sale and a purchase.
  23. South Atlantic U.S. The amount that can be carried in the arms in one load: a turn of firewood.
  24. To send away; dismiss: turned away the clerk.
  25. To repel: The poor location of the house turned away prospective buyers.
  26. To avert; deflect: turned away all criticism.
  27. To reverse one's direction of motion: stopped on the road and had to turn back.
  28. To drive back and away: turned back the uninvited comers.
  29. To halt the advance of: turned back the advancing army.
  30. To fold down: Turn back the page's corner to save your place in the book.
  31. To diminish the speed, volume, intensity, or flow of: Turn down the radio, please.
  32. To reject or refuse, as a person, advice, or a suggestion: turned down the invitation.
  33. To fold or be capable of folding down: turn a collar down; a collar that turns down.
  34. To hand in; give over: turned in the final exam.
  35. To inform on or deliver: The criminal turned herself in.
  36. To produce: turns in a consistent performance every day.
  37. Informal To go to bed: I turned in early last night.
  38. To stop the operation, activity, or flow of; shut off: turned off the television.
  39. Slang
    1. To affect with dislike, displeasure, or revulsion: That song really turns me off.
    2. To affect with boredom: The play turned the audience off.
    3. To lose or cause to lose interest; withdraw: turning off to materialism.
    4. To cease paying attention to: The student turned off the boring lecture and daydreamed.
    5. To take or cause to take a mind-altering drug, especially for the first time.
    6. To be or cause to become interested, pleasurably excited, or stimulated. Often used with to: My aunt turned me on to jazz. She turned on to surfing this summer.
    7. To excite or become excited sexually.
    8. To shift the position of, as by rolling from one side to the other.
    9. To shift one's position by rolling from one side to the other.
    10. To find: She turned up the missing keys under her briefcase.
    11. To be found: The papers will turn up sooner or later.
  40. To divert; deflect.
  41. Chiefly British To dismiss (an employee).
  42. To cause to begin the operation, activity, or flow of: Turn on the light bulb.
  43. To begin to display, employ, or exude: turn on the charm.
  44. Slang
    1. To take or cause to take a mind-altering drug, especially for the first time.
    2. To be or cause to become interested, pleasurably excited, or stimulated. Often used with to: My aunt turned me on to jazz. She turned on to surfing this summer.
    3. To excite or become excited sexually.
    4. To shift the position of, as by rolling from one side to the other.
    5. To shift one's position by rolling from one side to the other.
    6. To find: She turned up the missing keys under her briefcase.
    7. To be found: The papers will turn up sooner or later.
  45. To shut off: turned out the lights.
  46. To arrive or assemble, as for a public event or entertainment: Many protesters have turned out.
  47. To produce, as by a manufacturing process; make: an assembly line turning out cars.
  48. To be found to be, as after experience or trial: The rookie turned out to be the team's best hitter.
  49. To end up; result: The cake turned out beautifully.
  50. To equip; outfit: troops that were turned out lavishly
  51. Informal To get out of bed.
  52. To evict; expel: The tenants were turned out.
  53. To bring the bottom to the top or vice versa; invert.
    1. To shift the position of, as by rolling from one side to the other.
    2. To shift one's position by rolling from one side to the other.
    3. To find: She turned up the missing keys under her briefcase.
    4. To be found: The papers will turn up sooner or later.
  55. To rotate; cycle: The engine turned over but wouldn't start.
  56. To think about; consider: turned over the problem in her mind.
  57. To transfer to another; surrender: turned over the illegal funds.
  58. Sports To lose possession of (the ball).
  59. To do business to the extent or amount of: turn over a million dollars a year.
  60. To seem to lurch or heave convulsively: My stomach turned over.
  61. To increase the speed, volume, intensity, or flow of: Turn up the radio.
    1. To find: She turned up the missing keys under her briefcase.
    2. To be found: The papers will turn up sooner or later.
  63. To make an appearance; arrive: Many old friends turned up at the reunion.
  64. To fold or be capable of folding up: turning up his cuffs; cuffs that will turn up.
  65. To happen unexpectedly: Something turned up, so I couldn't go.
  66. To be evident: a sculptor whose name turns up in the art circles.

Phrasal Verb(s):
turn away
  1. To send away; dismiss: turned away the clerk.
  2. To repel: The poor location of the house turned away prospective buyers.
  3. To avert; deflect: turned away all criticism.
turn back
  1. To reverse one's direction of motion: stopped on the road and had to turn back.
  2. To drive back and away: turned back the uninvited comers.
  3. To halt the advance of: turned back the advancing army.
  4. To fold down: Turn back the page's corner to save your place in the book.
turn down
  1. To diminish the speed, volume, intensity, or flow of: Turn down the radio, please.
  2. To reject or refuse, as a person, advice, or a suggestion: turned down the invitation.
  3. To fold or be capable of folding down: turn a collar down; a collar that turns down.
turn in
  1. To hand in; give over: turned in the final exam.
  2. To inform on or deliver: The criminal turned herself in.
  3. To produce: turns in a consistent performance every day.
  4. Informal To go to bed: I turned in early last night.
turn off
  1. To stop the operation, activity, or flow of; shut off: turned off the television.
  2. Slang
    1. To affect with dislike, displeasure, or revulsion: That song really turns me off.
    2. To affect with boredom: The play turned the audience off.
    3. To lose or cause to lose interest; withdraw: turning off to materialism.
    4. To cease paying attention to: The student turned off the boring lecture and daydreamed.
  3. To divert; deflect.
  4. Chiefly British To dismiss (an employee).
turn on
  1. To cause to begin the operation, activity, or flow of: Turn on the light bulb.
  2. To begin to display, employ, or exude: turn on the charm.
  3. Slang
    1. To take or cause to take a mind-altering drug, especially for the first time.
    2. To be or cause to become interested, pleasurably excited, or stimulated. Often used with to: My aunt turned me on to jazz. She turned on to surfing this summer.
    3. To excite or become excited sexually.
turn out
  1. To shut off: turned out the lights.
  2. To arrive or assemble, as for a public event or entertainment: Many protesters have turned out.
  3. To produce, as by a manufacturing process; make: an assembly line turning out cars.
  4. To be found to be, as after experience or trial: The rookie turned out to be the team's best hitter.
  5. To end up; result: The cake turned out beautifully.
  6. To equip; outfit: troops that were turned out lavishly
  7. Informal To get out of bed.
  8. To evict; expel: The tenants were turned out.
turn over
  1. To bring the bottom to the top or vice versa; invert.
    1. To shift the position of, as by rolling from one side to the other.
    2. To shift one's position by rolling from one side to the other.
  3. To rotate; cycle: The engine turned over but wouldn't start.
  4. To think about; consider: turned over the problem in her mind.
  5. To transfer to another; surrender: turned over the illegal funds.
  6. Sports To lose possession of (the ball).
  7. To do business to the extent or amount of: turn over a million dollars a year.
  8. To seem to lurch or heave convulsively: My stomach turned over.
turn to
To begin work: If you quit dawdling and just turn to, your chores will be done soon.
turn up
  1. To increase the speed, volume, intensity, or flow of: Turn up the radio.
    1. To find: She turned up the missing keys under her briefcase.
    2. To be found: The papers will turn up sooner or later.
  3. To make an appearance; arrive: Many old friends turned up at the reunion.
  4. To fold or be capable of folding up: turning up his cuffs; cuffs that will turn up.
  5. To happen unexpectedly: Something turned up, so I couldn't go.
  6. To be evident: a sculptor whose name turns up in the art circles.

Idiom(s):
at every turn
In every place; at every moment.

Idiom(s):
by turns
One after another; alternately: "From the ... testimony emerges a man by turns devious and honest, vulgar and gallant, scatterbrained and shrewd" (Life).

Idiom(s):
in turn
In the proper order or sequence.

Idiom(s):
out of turn
  1. Not in the proper order or sequence.
  2. At an inappropriate time or in an inappropriate manner: The student was reprimanded for speaking out of turn.

Idiom(s):
to a turn
To a precise degree; perfectly: The roast was done to a turn.

Idiom(s):
turn a blind eye
To refuse to see or recognize something: turned a blind eye to tax fraud.

Idiom(s):
turn a deaf ear
To refuse to listen to or hear something: turned a deaf ear to the protests.

Idiom(s):
turn a hair
To become afraid or upset: didn't turn a hair during the crisis.

Idiom(s):
turn (one's) back on
  1. To deny; reject.
  2. To abandon; forsake.

Idiom(s):
turn (one's) hand
To apply oneself, as to a task: turned her hand to writing the report.

Idiom(s):
turn (one's) head
  1. To cause to become infatuated.
  2. To cause to become egotistical and conceited: Success has turned his head.

Idiom(s):
turn over a new leaf
To change, as one's attitude or conduct, for the better.

Idiom(s):
turn tail
To run away.

Idiom(s):
turn the/a corner
To reach and surpass a midpoint or milestone.

Idiom(s):
turn the other cheek
To respond to insult or injury by patiently eschewing retaliation.

Idiom(s):
turn the scales
To offset the balance of a situation.

Idiom(s):
turn the tables
To reverse a situation and gain the upper hand.

Idiom(s):
turn turtle
To capsize or turn upside-down: Our sailboat turned turtle during the squall.

Idiom(s):
turn up (one's) nose
To regard something with disdain or scorn: turned up her nose at the food.

[Middle English turnen, from Old English turnian, tyrnan and Old French torner, both from Latin tornāre, to turn in a lathe, from tornus, lathe, from Greek tornos; see terə-1 in Indo-European roots.]

Synonyms: These verbs mean to move or cause to move in a circle. Turn and circle are the most general: The mechanic made sure the wheels turned properly. Seagulls circled above the ocean.
Rotate refers to movement around an object's own axis or center: Earth rotates on its axis once each day.
Revolve involves orbital movement: Earth revolves around the sun.
Gyrate suggests revolving in or as if in a spiral course: The top gyrated on the counter and slowly came to a stop.
To spin is to rotate rapidly, often within a narrow compass: "He ... spun round, flung up his arms, and fell on his back, shot through" (John Galsworthy.)
Whirl applies to rapid or forceful revolution or rotation: During the blizzard, snowflakes whirled down from the sky.
Eddy denotes rapid circular movement like that of a whirlpool: Storm clouds eddied overhead.
Swirl can connote a graceful undulation, spiral, or whorl: The baker swirled the icing around the cake. See Also Synonyms at resort.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
turn  (v.)
late O.E. turnian "to rotate, revolve," in part also from O.Fr. torner "to turn," both from L. tornare "turn on a lathe," from tornus "lathe," from Gk. tornos "lathe, tool for drawing circles," from PIE base *ter- "to rub, rub by turning, turn, twist" (see throw). Expression to turn (something) into (something else) probably retains the classical sense of "to shape on a lathe" (attested in Eng. from c.1305). To turn up "arrive" is recorded from 1755. Turning-point in the fig. sense is attested from 1836. Turn-off "something that dampens one's spirits" first recorded 1975 (said to have been in use since 1968); to turn (someone) on "excite, stimulate, arouse" is recorded from 1903. Someone should revive turn-sick "dizzy," which is attested from c.1440. To turn (something) loose "set free" is recorded from 1598. Turn around (v.) "reverse" is first attested 1880, Amer.Eng. Turn down (v.) "reject" first recorded 1891, Amer.Eng. Turn in "go to bed" is attested from 1695, originally nautical. To turn the stomach "nauseate" is recorded from 1622. To turn up one's nose as an expression of contempt is attested from 1779.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
turn  (n.)
c.1250, "action of rotation," from Anglo-Fr. tourn (O.Fr. tour), from L. tornus "turning lathe;" also partly a noun of action from turn (v.). Meaning "an act of turning, a single revolution or part of a revolution" is attested from 1481. Sense of "place of bending" (in a road, river, etc.) is recorded from 1412. Meaning "beginning of a period of time" is attested from 1853 (e.g. turn of the century, 1926). Sense of "act of good will" is recorded from c.1300. Meaning "spell of work" is from c.1375; that of "an individual's time for action, when these go around in succession" is recorded from c.1393. Turn about "by turns, alternately" is recorded from 1650. Phrase done to a turn (1780) suggests meat roasted on a spit. The turn of the screw (1796) is the additional twist to tighten its hold, sometimes with ref. to torture by thumbscrews.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
turn

noun
1. a circular segment of a curve; "a bend in the road"; "a crook in the path" [syn: bend] 
2. the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course; "he took a turn to the right" 
3. (game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession; "it is my turn"; "it is still my play" 
4. an unforeseen development; "events suddenly took an awkward turn" 
5. a movement in a new direction; "the turning of the wind" [syn: turning] 
6. the act of turning away or in the opposite direction; "he made an abrupt turn away from her" 
7. turning or twisting around (in place); "with a quick twist of his head he surveyed the room" [syn: twist] 
8. a time for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else); "it's my go"; "a spell of work" [syn: go] 
9. (sports) a division during which one team is on the offensive 
10. a short theatrical performance that is part of a longer program; "he did his act three times every evening"; "she had a catchy little routine"; "it was one of the best numbers he ever did" [syn: act] 
11. a favor for someone; "he did me a good turn" 
12. taking a short walk out and back; "we took a turn in the park" 

verb
1. change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense; "Turn towards me"; "The mugger turned and fled before I could see his face"; "She turned from herself and learned to listen to others' needs" 
2. undergo a transformation or a change of position or action; "We turned from Socialism to Capitalism"; "The people turned against the President when he stole the election" [syn: change state] 
3. undergo a change or development; "The water turned into ice"; "Her former friend became her worst enemy"; "He turned traitor" [syn: become] 
4. cause to move around or rotate; "turn a key"; "turn your palm this way" 
5. change to the contrary; "The trend was reversed"; "the tides turned against him"; "public opinion turned when it was revealed that the president had an affair with a White House intern" [syn: change by reversal] 
6. pass to the other side of; "turn the corner"; "move around the obstacle" 
7. pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become; "The weather turned nasty"; "She grew angry" 
8. let (something) fall or spill from a container; "turn the flour onto a plate" 
9. move around an axis or a center; "The wheels are turning" 
10. cause to move around a center so as to show another side of; "turn a page of a book" 
11. to send or let go; "They turned away the crowd at the gate of the governor's mansion" 
12. to break and turn over earth especially with a plow; "Farmer Jones plowed his east field last week"; "turn the earth in the Spring" [syn: plow] 
13. shape by rotating on a lathe or cutting device or a wheel; "turn the legs of the table"; "turn the clay on the wheel" 
14. change color; "In Vermont, the leaves turn early" 
15. twist suddenly so as to sprain; "wrench one's ankle"; "The wrestler twisted his shoulder"; "the hikers sprained their ankles when they fell"; "I turned my ankle and couldn't walk for several days" [syn: twist] 
16. cause to change or turn into something different;assume new characteristics; "The princess turned the frog into a prince by kissing him"; "The alchemists tried to turn lead into gold" 
17. accomplish by rotating; "turn a somers