turn

[[t]tɜrn[/t]]

v. t.

1) to cause to move around on an axis or about a center; rotate:

to turn a wheel[/ex]

2) to cause to move around or partly around, as for the purpose of opening, closing, or tightening:

to turn a key[/ex]

3) to reverse the position or placement of:

to turn a page[/ex]

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[/ex]

6) to change or reverse the course of; divert; deflect

7) to change the focus or tendency of

8) to change or alter the nature, character, or appearance of

9) to change or convert (usu. fol. by into or to):

to turn water into ice[/ex]

10) to render or make by some change

11) to change the color of (leaves)

12) to cause to become sour, to ferment, or the like

13) pat brit. to affect (the stomach) with nausea

14) to change from one form of expression to another; translate

15) to put or apply to some use or purpose

16) to go or pass around or to the other side of:

to turn a street corner[/ex]

17) to reach or pass (a certain age, amount, etc.)

18) to direct, aim, or set toward, away from, or in a specified direction

19) bui to shape (a piece of metal, wood, etc.) into rounded form with a cutting tool while rotating on a lathe

20) to bring into a rounded or curved form in any way

21) to form or express gracefully:

to turn a phrase[/ex]

22) to cause to go; send; drive

23) to revolve in the mind; ponder (often fol. by over)

24) to persuade (a person) to change or reorder the course of his or her life

25) to cause to be antagonistic toward:

turning children against their parents[/ex]

26) to maintain a steady flow or circulation of (money or merchandise)

27) cvb to earn or gain:

She turned a profit on the sale[/ex]

28) to reverse (a garment, collar, etc.) so that the inner side becomes the outer

29) to pour from one container into another by inverting

30) to curve, bend, or twist

31) to twist out of position; wrench:

He turned his ankle[/ex]

32) to bend back or blunt (the edge of a blade)

33) spo to perform (a gymnastic feat) by rotating or revolving

34) psi to disturb the mental balance of; distract; derange

35) to disorder or upset the placement or condition of

36) to move around on an axis or about a center; rotate

37) bui to move partly around through the arc of a circle, as a door on a hinge

38) to hinge or depend (usu. fol. by on or upon):

The question turns on this point[/ex]

39) to direct or set one's course toward, away from, or in a particular direction

40) to direct one's thought, gaze, attention, etc., toward or away from someone or something

41) to give or apply one's interest, effort, etc., to something; pursue:

to turn to crime[/ex]

42) to change or reverse a course so as to face or go in a different or the opposite direction:

to turn to the right[/ex]

43) to shift the body about as if on an axis

44) to assume a curved form; bend

45) to become blunted or dulled by bending, as the cutting edge of a knife or saw

46) pat to be affected with nausea, as the stomach

47) to be affected with giddiness or dizziness

48) to change or transfer one's loyalties; defect

49) to change an attitude or policy:

to turn against a person[/ex]

50) to change or alter, as in nature, character, or appearance

51) to become sour, rancid, or fermented, as milk or butter

52) to change color:

The leaves turn in October[/ex]

53) to change so as to be; become:

to turn pale[/ex]

54) to have recourse for help or information:

to turn to a friend for a loan[/ex]

55) psi to become mentally unbalanced or distracted

56) naut. navig. to put about or tack, as a ship

57) phv turn down

a) to turn over; fold down

b) to lower in intensity; lessen

c) to refuse or reject (a person, request, etc.)

58) phv turn in

a) to hand in; submit

b) to inform on or deliver up

c) inf to go to bed; retire

59) phv 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 drive a vehicle or walk onto (a side road) from a main road

e) sts Slang. to disaffect, alienate, or disgust

60) phv 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:

turned on the charm[/ex]

e) sts Slang. to induce (a person) to take a narcotic drug

f) sts Slang. to take a narcotic drug

g) sts Slang. to arouse the interest of; engage

h) sts Slang. to arouse sexually

i) Also, turn upon. to become suddenly hostile to

61) phv turn out

a) to extinguish (a light)

b) to produce as the result of labor

c) to drive out; dismiss; discharge

d) to come to be; become ultimately

e) to be found or known; prove

62) phv turn over

a) to move or be moved from one side to another

b) to put in reverse position; invert

c) to transfer; give

d) to start (an engine)

e) (of an engine) to start

63) phv 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

c) to uncover; find

d) to intensify or increase

e) to occur

f) to appear; arrive

g) to be recovered

h) to come to notice; be seen

64) a movement of partial or total rotation:

a turn of the handle[/ex]

65) an act of changing position or posture, as by a rotary movement:

a turn of the head[/ex]

66) a time or opportunity for action that comes in due order

67) an act of changing or reversing the course or direction

68) a place or point at which such a change occurs

69) a place where a road, river, or the like turns; bend

70) a single revolution, as of a wheel

71) an act of turning so as to face or go in a different direction

72) direction, drift, or trend

73) any change, as in nature, condition, or circumstances

74) the point or time of change

75) rounded or curved form

76) the shape or mold in which something is formed or cast

77) a passing or twisting of one thing around another, as of a rope around a mast

78) the state or manner of being twisted

79) a single circular or convoluted shape, as of a coiled or wound rope

80) bui a small latch operated by a turning knob or lever

81) a distinctive form or style of expression or language

82) a short walk, ride, or the like out and back, esp. by different routes

83) a natural inclination, bent, tendency, or aptitude:

one's turn of mind[/ex]

84) a spell or period of work; shift

85) an attack of illness or the like

86) an act of service or disservice

87) requirement, exigency, or need:

This will serve your turn[/ex]

88) treatment or rendering, esp. with reference to the form or content of a work of literature, art, etc.; twist

89) inf a nervous shock, as from fright or astonishment

90) mad mus a melodic embellishment or grace, commonly consisting of a principal tone with two auxiliary tones, one above and the other below it

91) brit. sbz an individual stage performance

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- at every turn by turns in turn out of turn take turns to a turn turn one's back on turn the corner turn the tide

Etymology: bef. 1000; ME, partly continuing OE turnian, tyrnan < L tornāre to turn on a lathe, round off (der. of tornus lathe < Gk tórnos tool for making circles), partly < OF torner, t(o) urner < L turn′a•ble, adj.