Adjacent Words

Turn definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

TURN, v.t. [L. turnus; torniare, to turn; tornare, to return; torneare, tornire, to turn, to fence round, to tilt; torniamento, tournament.]
1. To cause to move in a circular course; as, to turn a wheel; to turn a spindle; to turn the body.
2. To change or shift sides; to put the upper side downwards, or one side in the place of the other. It is said a hen turns her eggs often when sitting.
3. To alter, as a position.
Expert
When to advance, or stand, or turn the sway of battle.
4. To cause to preponderate; to change the state of a balance; as, to turn the scale.
5. To bring the inside out; as,to turn a coat.
6. To alter, as the posture of the body, or direction of the look.
The monarch turns him to his royal guest.
7. To form on a lathe; to make round.
8. To form; to shape; used in the participle; as a body finely turned.
Him limbs how turn'd.
9. To change; to transform; as,to turn evil to good; to turn goods into money.
Impatience turns an ague into a fever.
I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness. 1 Samuel 15.
10. To metamorphose; as, to turn a worm into a winged insect.
11. To alter or change, as color; as, to turn green to blue.
12. To change or alter in any manner; to vary.
13. To translate; as, to turn Greek into English.
--Who turns a Persian tale for half a crown.
14. To change, as the manner of writing; as,to turn prose into verse.
15. To change, as from one opinion or party to another; as, to turn one from a tory to whig; to turn Mohammedan or a pagan to a Christian.
16. To change in regard to inclination or temper.
Turn thee to me, and have mercy upon me. Psalms 25.
17. To change or alter from one purpose or effect to another.
God will make these evils the occasion of greater good, by turning them to our advantage.
18. To transfer.
Therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom to David. 1 Chronicles 10.
19. To cause to nauseate or lothe; as, to turn the stomach.
20. To make giddy.
Eastern priests in giddy circles run,
And turn their heads to imitate the sun.
21. To infatuate; to make mad, wild or enthusiastic; as, to turn the brain.
22. To change direction to or from any point; as, to turn the eyes to the heavens; to turn the eyes from a disgusting spectacle.
23. To direct by a change to a certain purpose or object; to direct, as the inclination, thoughts or mind. I have turned my mind to the subject.
My thoughts are turn'd on peace.
24. To revolve; to agitate in the mind.
Turn those ideas about in your mind.
25. To bend from a perpendicular direction; as, to turn the edge of an instrument.
26. To move from a direct course or strait line; to cause to deviate; as, to turn a horse from the road, or a ship from her course.
27. To apply by a change of use.
When the passage is open, land will be turned most to cattle.
28. To reverse.
The Lord thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee. Deutoronomy 30.
29. To keep passing and changing in the course of trade; as, to turn money or stock two or three times in the year.
30. To adapt the mind; chiefly in the participle.
He was perfectly well turned for trade.
31. To make acid; to sour; as, to turn cider or wine; to turn milk.
32. To persuade to renounce an opinion; to dissuade from a purpose, or cause to change sides. You cannot turn a firm man.
To turn aside, to avert.
To turn away, to dismiss from service; to discard; as, to turn away a servant.
1. To avert; as, to turn away wrath or evil.
To turn back, to return; as, to turn back goods to the seller. [Little used.]
To turn down, to fold or double down.
To turn in, to fold or double; as, to turn in the edge of cloth.
To turn off, to dismiss contemptuously; as, to turn off a sycophant or parasite.
1. To give over; to resign. We are not so wholly turned off from that reversion.
2. To divert; to deflect; as, to turn off the thoughts from serious subjects.
To be turned of, to be advanced beyond; as, to be turned of sixty six.
To turn out, to drive out; to expel; as, to turn a family out of doors, or out of the house.
1. To put to pasture; as cattle or horses.
To turn over, to change sides; to roll over.
1. To transfer; as, to turn over a business to another hand.
2. To open and examine one leaf after another; as, to turn over a concordance.
3. To overset.
turn to, to have recourse to.
Helvetius' tables may be turned to on all occasions.
To turn upon, to retort; to throw back; as, to turn the arguments of an opponent upon himself.
To turn the back, to flee; to retreat. Exodus 23.
To turn the back upon, to quit with contempt; to forsake.
To turn the die or dice, to change fortune.
TURN, v.i. To move round; to have a circular motion; as, a wheel turns on its axis; a spindle turns on a pivot; a man turns on his heel.
1. To be directed.
The understanding turns inwards on itself, and reflects on its own operations.
2. To show regard by directing the look towards any thing.
Turn mighty monarch, turn this way;
Do not refuse to hear.
3. To move the body round. He turned to me with a smile.
4. To move; to change posture. Let your body be at rest; do not turn in the least.
5. To deviate; as, to turn from the road or course.
6. To alter; to be changed or transformed; as, wood turns to stone; water turns to ice; one color turns to another.
7. To become by change; as, the fur of certain animals turns in winter.
Cygnets from gray turn white.
8. To change sides. A man in a fever turns often.
9. To change opinions or parties; as, to turn Christian or Mohammedan.
10. To change the mind or conduct.
Turn from thy fierce wrath. Exodus 32.
11. To change to acid; as,mild turns suddenly during a thunder storm.
12. To be brought eventually; to result or terminate in. This trade has not turned to much account or advantage. The application of steam turns to good account, both on land and water.
13. To depend on for decision. The question turns on a single fact or point.
14. To become giddy.
I'll look no more,
Lest my brain turn.
15. To change a course of life; to repent.
Turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways, for why will ye die? Ezek 33.
16. To change the course or direction; as, the tide turns.
To turn about, to move the face to another quarter.
To turn away, to deviate.
1. To depart from; to forsake.turn in, to bend inwards.
1. To enter for lodgings or entertainment. Genesis 19.
2. To go to bed.
To turn off, to be diverted; to deviate from a course. The road turns off to the left.
To turn on or upon, to reply or retort.
1. To depend on.
To turn out, to move from its place, as a bone.
1. To bend outwards; to project.
2. To rise from bed; also, to come abroad.
To turn over, to turn from side to side; to roll; to tumble.
1. To change sides or parties.
To turn to, to be directed; as, the needle turns to the magnetic pole.
To turn under, to bend or be folded downwards.
To turn up, to bend or be doubled upwards.
TURN, n. The act of turning; movement or motion in a circular direction, whether horizontally, vertically or otherwise; a revolution; as the turn of a wheel.
1. A winding; a meandering course; a bend or bending; as the turn of river.
2. A walk to and from.
I will take a turn in your garden.
3. Change; alteration; vicissitude; as the turns and varieties of passions.
Too well the turns of mortal chance I know.
4. Successive course.
Nobleness and bounty--which virtues had their turns in the king's nature.
5. Manner of proceeding; change of direction. This affair may take a different turn from that which we expect.
6. Chance; hap; opportunity.
Every one has a fair turn to be as great as he pleases.
7. Occasion; incidental opportunity.
An old dog falling from his speed, was loaded at every turn with blows and reproaches.
8. Time at which, by successive vicissitudes, any thing is to be had or done. They take each other's turn.
His turn will come to laugh at you again.
9. Action of kindness or malice.
Thanks are half lost when good turns are delay'd.
Some malicious natures place their delight in doing ill turns.
10. Reigning inclination or course. Religion is not to be adapted to the turn and fashion of the age.
11. A step off the ladder at the gallows.
12. Convenience; occasion; purpose; exigence; as, this will not serve his turn.
13. Form; cast; shape; manner; in a literal or figurative sense; as the turn of thought; a man of a sprightly turn in conversation.
The turn of his thoughts and expression is unharmonious.
Female virtues are of a domestic turn.
The Roman poets, in their description of a beautiful man, often mention the turn of his neck and arms.
14. Manner of arranging words in a sentence.
15. Change; new position of things. Some evil happens at every turn of affairs.
16. Change of direction; as the turn of the tide from flood to ebb.
17. One round of a rope or cord.
18. In mining, a pit sunk in some part of a drift.
19. Turn or tourn, in law. The sheriff's turn is a court of record, held by the sheriff twice a year in every hundred within his county. [England.]
By turns, one after another; alternately.
They assist each other by turns.
1. At intervals.
They feel by turns the bitter change.
To take turns, to take each other's places alternately.
TURN'-BENCH, n. [turn and bench.] A kind of iron lathe.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: a circular segment of a curve; "a bend in the road"; "a crook in the path" [syn: bend, crook, twist, turn]
2: the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course; "he took a turn to the right" [syn: turn, turning]
3: (game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession; "it is my turn"; "it is still my play" [syn: turn, play]
4: an unforeseen development; "events suddenly took an awkward turn" [syn: turn, turn of events, twist]
5: a movement in a new direction; "the turning of the wind" [syn: turning, turn]
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, turn]
8: a time for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else); "it's my go"; "a spell of work" [syn: go, spell, tour, turn]
9: (sports) a division during which one team is on the offensive [syn: turn, bout, round]
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, routine, number, turn, bit]
11: a favor for someone; "he did me a good turn" [syn: turn, good turn]
12: taking a short walk out and back; "we took a turn in the park" v
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, turn]
3: undergo a change or development; "The water turned into ice"; "Her former friend became her worst enemy"; "He turned traitor" [syn: become, turn]
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, turn, reverse]
6: pass to the other side of; "turn the corner"; "move around the obstacle" [syn: turn, move around]
7: pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become; "The weather turned nasty"; "She grew angry" [syn: turn, grow]
8: let (something) fall or spill from a container; "turn the flour onto a plate" [syn: turn, release]
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" [syn: turn, turn over]
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, plough, turn]
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, sprain, wrench, turn, wrick, rick]
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 somersault"; "turn cartwheels"
18: get by buying and selling; "the company turned a good profit after a year"
19: cause to move along an axis or into a new direction; "turn your face to the wall"; "turn the car around"; "turn your dance partner around"
20: channel one's attention, interest, thought, or attention toward or away from something; "The pedophile turned to boys for satisfaction"; "people turn to mysticism at the turn of a millennium"
21: cause (a plastic object) to assume a crooked or angular form; "bend the rod"; "twist the dough into a braid"; "the strong man could turn an iron bar" [syn: flex, bend, deform, twist, turn] [ant: unbend]
22: alter the functioning or setting of; "turn the dial to 10"; "turn the heat down"
23: direct at someone; "She turned a smile on me"; "They turned their flashlights on the car"
24: have recourse to or make an appeal or request for help or information to; "She called on her Representative to help her"; "She turned to her relatives for help" [syn: call on, turn]
25: go sour or spoil; "The milk has soured"; "The wine worked"; "The cream has turned--we have to throw it out" [syn: sour, turn, ferment, work]
26: become officially one year older; "She is turning 50 this year"

Merriam Webster's

I. 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) <turned 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 turned his ankle> 2. a. (1) to cause to change position by moving through an arc of a circle <turned 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 turned topsy-turvy> c. to disturb or upset the mental balance of ; derange, unsettle <a mind turned by grief> d. to set in another especially contrary direction 4. a. to bend or change the course of ; divert <a battle that turned 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 <turned 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 <turning his back to his guests> b. to bring to bear (as by aiming, pointing, or focusing) ; train <turned the light into the dark doorway> <turned 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 <turned his skills to the service of mankind> e. (1) to cause to rebound or recoil <turns 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 <turned our steps homeward> (2) drive, send <turn cows to pasture> <turning 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 <turned him into a frog> <embarrassment turned 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 turned 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 <turning a quick profit> c. to make use of <turned her education to advantage> d. to carry to completion ; pull off <turned 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 turns on a point of logic> <the outcome of the game turned on an interception> (2) to have a center (as of interest) in something specified <the discussion turned on the overall worth of the project> (3) to become focused on something specified <the conversation turned to baseball> 2. a. to direct one's course b. (1) to reverse a course or direction <the tide has turned> (2) to have a reactive usually adverse effect c. to take a different course or direction <turned toward home> <the main road turns sharply to the right> 3. a. to change position (as of one's head) so as to face another way <everyone turned 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 turned against him> d. to make a sudden violent assault especially without evident cause <dogs turning 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 <turned to a friend for help> <turned to his notes for the exact figures> d. to direct one's efforts or activity ; devote or apply oneself <turned to the study of the law> <turned to a life of crime> 5. a. to become changed, altered, or transformed <the weather turned>: as (1) archaic to become different (2) to change color <the leaves have turned> (3) to become sour, rancid, or tainted <the milk had turned> (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 turned to ice> (2) become, grow <his hair had turned gray> <the weather turned bad> <just turned twenty> (3) to become someone or something specified by change from another state ; change into <turn pro> <doctors turned authors> (4) to change by the passage of time <days turned 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 turned> 7. to operate a lathe 8. of merchandise to be stocked and disposed of ; change hands • turnable adjective 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 turns> 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 turns 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

Oxford Reference Dictionary

v. & n. --v. 1 tr. & intr. move around a point or axis so that the point or axis remains in a central position; give a rotary motion to or receive a rotary motion (turned the wheel; the wheel turns; the key turns in the lock). 2 tr. & intr. change in position so that a different side, end, or part becomes outermost or uppermost etc.; invert or reverse or cause to be inverted or reversed (turned inside out; turned it upside down). 3 a tr. give a new direction to (turn your face this way). b intr. take a new direction (turn left here; my thoughts have often turned to you). 4 tr. aim in a certain way (turned the hose on them). 5 intr. & tr. (foll. by into) change in nature, form, or condition to (turned into a dragon; then turned him into a frog; turned the book into a play). 6 intr. (foll. by to) a apply oneself to; set about (turned to doing the ironing). b have recourse to; begin to indulge in habitually (turned to drink; turned to me for help). c go on to consider next (let us now turn to your report). 7 intr. & tr. become or cause to become (turned hostile; has turned informer; your comment turned them angry). 8 a tr. & intr. (foll. by against) make or become hostile to (has turned them against us). b intr. (foll. by on, upon) become hostile to; attack (suddenly turned on them). 9 intr. (of hair or leaves) change colour. 10 intr. (of milk) become sour. 11 intr. (of the stomach) be nauseated. 12 intr. (of the head) become giddy. 13 tr. cause (milk) to become sour, (the stomach) to be nauseated, or (the head) to become giddy. 14 tr. translate (turn it into French). 15 tr. move to the other side of; go round (turned the corner). 16 tr. pass the age or time of (he has turned 40; it has now turned 4 o'clock). 17 intr. (foll. by on) depend on; be determined by (it all turns on the weather tomorrow). 18 tr. send or put into a specified place or condition; cause to go (was turned loose; turned the water out into a basin). 19 tr. perform (a somersault etc.) with rotary motion. 20 tr. remake (a garment or, esp., a sheet) putting the worn outer side on the inside. 21 tr. make (a profit). 22 tr. divert (a bullet). 23 tr. blunt (the edge of a knife, slot of a screw-head, etc.). 24 tr. shape (an object) on a lathe. 25 tr. give an (esp. elegant) form to (turn a compliment). 26 intr. Golf begin the second half of a round. 27 tr. (esp. as turned adj.) Printing invert (type) to make it appear upside down (a turned comma). 28 tr. pass round (the flank etc. of an army) so as to attack it from the side or rear. 29 intr. (of the tide) change from flood to ebb or vice versa. --n. 1 the act or process or an instance of turning; rotary motion (a single turn of the handle). 2 a a changed or a change of direction or tendency (took a sudden turn to the left). b a deflection or deflected part (full of twists and turns). 3 a point at which a turning or change occurs. 4 a turning of a road. 5 a change of the tide from ebb to flow or from flow to ebb. 6 a change in the course of events. 7 a tendency or disposition (is of a mechanical turn of mind). 8 an opportunity or obligation etc. that comes successively to each of several persons etc. (your turn will come; my turn to read). 9 a short walk or ride (shall take a turn in the garden). 10 a short performance on stage or in a circus etc. 11 service of a specified kind (did me a good turn). 12 purpose (served my turn). 13 colloq. a momentary nervous shock or ill feeling (gave me quite a turn). 14 Mus. an ornament consisting of the principal note with those above and below it. 15 one round in a coil of rope etc. 16 Printing a inverted type as a temporary substitute for a missing letter. b a letter turned wrong side up. 17 a Brit. the difference between the buying and selling price of stocks etc. b a profit made from this. Phrases and idioms: at every turn continually; at each new stage etc. by turns in rotation of individuals or groups; alternately. in turn in succession; one by one. in one's turn when one's turn or opportunity comes. not know which way (or where) to turn be completely at a loss, unsure how to act, etc. not turn a hair see HAIR. on the turn 1 changing. 2 (of milk) becoming sour. 3 at the turning-point. out of turn 1 at a time when it is not one's turn. 2 inappropriately; inadvisedly or tactlessly (did I speak out of turn?). take turns (or take it in turns) act or work alternately or in succession. to a turn (esp. cooked) to exactly the right degree etc. turn about move so as to face in a new direction. turn-about n. 1 an act of turning about. 2 an abrupt change of policy etc. turn and turn about alternately. turn around esp. US = turn round. turn away 1 turn to face in another direction. 2 refuse to accept; reject. 3 send away. turn back 1 begin or cause to retrace one's steps. 2 fold back. turn one's back on see BACK. turn-bench a watchmaker's portable lathe. turn-buckle a device for tightly connecting parts of a metal rod or wire. turn-cap a revolving chimney-top. turn the corner 1 pass round it into another street. 2 pass the critical point in an illness, difficulty, etc. turn a deaf ear see DEAF. turn down 1 reject (a proposal, application, etc.). 2 reduce the volume or strength of (sound, heat, etc.) by turning a knob etc. 3 fold down. 4 place downwards. turn-down (of a collar) turned down. turn one's hand to see HAND. turn a person's head see HEAD. turn an honest penny see HONEST. turn in 1 hand in or return. 2 achieve or register (a performance, score, etc.). 3 colloq. go to bed in the evening. 4 fold inwards. 5 incline inwards (his toes turn in). 6 colloq. abandon (a plan etc.). turn in one's grave see GRAVE(1). turn off 1 a stop the flow or operation of (water, electricity, etc.) by means of a tap, switch, etc. b operate (a tap, switch, etc.) to achieve this. 2 a enter a side-road. b (of a side-road) lead off from another road. 3 colloq. repel; cause to lose interest (turned me right off with their complaining). 4 dismiss from employment. turn-off n. 1 a turning off a main road. 2 colloq. something that repels or causes a loss of interest. turn of speed the ability to go fast when necessary. turn on 1 a start the flow or operation of (water, electricity, etc.) by means of a tap, switch, etc. b operate (a tap, switch, etc.) to achieve this. 2 colloq. excite; stimulate the interest of, esp. sexually. 3 tr. & intr. colloq. intoxicate or become intoxicated with drugs. turn-on n. colloq. a person or thing that causes (esp. sexual) arousal. turn on one's heel see HEEL(1). turn out 1 expel. 2 extinguish (an electric light etc.). 3 dress or equip (well turned out). 4 produce (manufactured goods etc.). 5 empty or clean out (a room etc.). 6 empty (a pocket) to see the contents. 7 colloq. a get out of bed. b go out of doors. 8 colloq. assemble; attend a meeting etc. 9 (often foll. by to + infin. or that + clause) prove to be the case; result (turned out to be true; we shall see how things turn out). 10 Mil. call (a guard) from the guardroom. turn over 1 reverse or cause to reverse vertical position; bring the under or reverse side into view (turn over the page). 2 upset; fall or cause to fall over. 3 a cause (an engine) to run. b (of an engine) start running. 4 consider thoroughly. 5 (foll. by to) transfer the care or conduct of (a person or thing) to (a person) (shall turn it all over to my deputy; turned him over to the authorities). 6 do business to the amount of (turns over £5000 a week). turn over a new leaf improve one's conduct or performance. turn round 1 turn so as to face in a new direction. 2 a Commerce unload and reload (a ship, vehicle, etc.). b receive, process, and send out again; cause to progress through a system. 3 adopt new opinions or policy. turn-round n. 1 a the process of loading and unloading. b the process of receiving, processing, and sending out again; progress through a system. 2 the reversal of an opinion or tendency. turn the scales see SCALE(2). turn the tables see TABLE. turn tail turn one's back; run away. turn the tide reverse the trend of events. turn to set about one's work (came home and immediately turned to). turn to account see ACCOUNT. turn turtle see TURTLE. turn up 1 increase the volume or strength of (sound, heat, etc.) by turning a knob etc. 2 place upwards. 3 discover or reveal. 4 be found, esp. by chance (it turned up on a rubbish dump). 5 happen or present itself; (of a person) put in an appearance (a few people turned up late). 6 colloq. cause to vomit (the sight turned me up). 7 shorten (a garment) by increasing the size of the hem. turn-up n. 1 Brit. the lower turned up end of a trouser leg. 2 colloq. an unexpected (esp. welcome) happening; a surprise. Etymology: OE tyrnan, turnian f. L tornare f. tornus lathe f. Gk tornos lathe, circular movement: prob. reinforced in ME f. OF turner, torner

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Turn Turn, v. t. To make a turn about or around (something); to go or pass around by turning; as, to turn a corner. The ranges are not high or steep, and one can turn a kopje instead of cutting or tunneling through it. --James Bryce. To turn turtle, to capsize bottom upward; -- said of a vessel. [Naut. slang] -- To turn under (Agric.), to put, as soil, manure, etc., underneath from the surface by plowing, digging, or the like.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Turn Turn, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Turned; p. pr. & vb. n. Turning.] [OE. turnen, tournen, OF. tourner, torner, turner, F. tourner, LL. tornare, fr. L. tornare to turn in a lathe, to rounds off, fr. tornus a lathe, Gr. ? a turner's chisel, a carpenter's tool for drawing circles; probably akin to E. throw. See Throw, and cf. Attorney, Return, Tornado, Tour, Tournament.] 1. To cause to move upon a center, or as if upon a center; to give circular motion to; to cause to revolve; to cause to move round, either partially, wholly, or repeatedly; to make to change position so as to present other sides in given directions; to make to face otherwise; as, to turn a wheel or a spindle; to turn the body or the head. Turn the adamantine spindle round. --Milton. The monarch turns him to his royal guest. --Pope. 2. To cause to present a different side uppermost or outmost; to make the upper side the lower, or the inside to be the outside of; to reverse the position of; as, to turn a box or a board; to turn a coat. 3. To give another direction, tendency, or inclination to; to direct otherwise; to deflect; to incline differently; -- used both literally and figuratively; as, to turn the eyes to the heavens; to turn a horse from the road, or a ship from her course; to turn the attention to or from something. ``Expert when to advance, or stand, or, turn the sway of battle.'' --Milton. Thrice I deluded her, and turned to sport Her importunity. --Milton. My thoughts are turned on peace. --Addison. 4. To change from a given use or office; to divert, as to another purpose or end; to transfer; to use or employ; to apply; to devote. Therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David. --1 Chron. x. 14. God will make these evils the occasion of a greater good, by turning them to advantage in this world. --Tillotson. When the passage is open, land will be turned most to cattle; when shut, to sheep. --Sir W. Temple. 5. To change the form, quality, aspect, or effect of; to alter; to metamorphose; to convert; to transform; -- often with to or into before the word denoting the effect or product of the change; as, to turn a worm into a winged insect; to turn green to blue; to turn prose into verse; to turn a Whig to a Tory, or a Hindu to a Christian; to turn good to evil, and the like. The Lord thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee. --Deut. xxx. 3. And David said, O Lord, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness. --2 Sam. xv. 31. Impatience turns an ague into a fever. --Jer. Taylor. 6. To form in a lathe; to shape or fashion (anything) by applying a cutting tool to it while revolving; as, to turn the legs of stools or tables; to turn ivory or metal. I had rather hear a brazen canstick turned. --Shak. 7. Hence, to give form to; to shape; to mold; to put in proper condition; to adapt. ``The poet's pen turns them to shapes.'' --Shak. His limbs how turned, how broad his shoulders spread ! --Pope. He was perfectly well turned for trade. --Addison. 8. Specifically: (a) To translate; to construe; as, to turn the Iliad. Who turns a Persian tale for half a crown. --Pope. (b) To make acid or sour; to ferment; to curdle, etc.: as, to turn cider or wine; electricity turns milk quickly. (c) To sicken; to nauseate; as, an emetic turns one's stomach. To be turned of, be advanced beyond; as, to be turned of sixty-six. To turn a cold shoulder to, to treat with neglect or indifference. To turn a corner, to go round a corner.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Turn Turn, v. i. 1. To move round; to have a circular motion; to revolve entirely, repeatedly, or partially; to change position, so as to face differently; to whirl or wheel round; as, a wheel turns on its axis; a spindle turns on a pivot; a man turns on his heel. The gate . . . on golden hinges turning. --Milton. 2. Hence, to revolve as if upon a point of support; to hinge; to depend; as, the decision turns on a single fact. Conditions of peace certainly turn upon events of war. --Swift. 3. To result or terminate; to come about; to eventuate; to issue. If we repent seriously, submit contentedly, and serve him faithfully, afflictions shall turn to our advantage. --Wake. 4. To be deflected; to take a different direction or tendency; to be directed otherwise; to be differently applied; to be transferred; as, to turn from the road. Turn from thy fierce wrath. --Ex. xxxii. 12. Turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways. --Ezek. xxxiii. 11. The understanding turns inward on itself, and reflects on its own operations. --Locke. 5. To be changed, altered, or transformed; to become transmuted; also, to become by a change or changes; to grow; as, wood turns to stone; water turns to ice; one color turns to another; to turn Mohammedan. I hope you have no intent to turn husband. --Shak. Cygnets from gray turn white. --Bacon. 6. To undergo the process of turning on a lathe; as, ivory turns well. 7. Specifically: (a) To become acid; to sour; -- said of milk, ale, etc. (b) To become giddy; -- said of the head or brain. I'll look no more; Lest my brain turn. --Shak. (c) To be nauseated; -- said of the stomach. (d) To become inclined in the other direction; -- said of scales. (e) To change from ebb to flow, or from flow to ebb; -- said of the tide. (f) (Obstetrics) To bring down the feet of a child in the womb, in order to facilitate delivery. 8. (Print.) To invert a type of the same thickness, as temporary substitute for any sort which is exhausted. To turn about, to face to another quarter; to turn around. To turn again, to come back after going; to return. --Shak. To turn against, to become unfriendly or hostile to. To turn aside or away. (a) To turn from the direct course; to withdraw from a company; to deviate. (b) To depart; to remove. (c) To avert one's face. To turn back, to turn so as to go in an opposite direction; to retrace one's steps. To turn in. (a) To bend inward. (b) To enter for lodgings or entertainment. (c) To go to bed. [Colloq.] To turn into, to enter by making a turn; as, to turn into a side street. To turn off, to be diverted; to deviate from a course; as, the road turns off to the left. To turn on or upon. (a) To turn against; to confront in hostility or anger. (b) To reply to or retort. (c) To depend on; as, the result turns on one condition. To turn out. (a) To move from its place, as a bone. (b) To bend or point outward; as, his toes turn out. (c) To rise from bed. [Colloq.] (d) To come abroad; to appear; as, not many turned out to the fire. (e) To prove in the result; to issue; to result; as, the crops turned out poorly. To turn over, to turn from side to side; to roll; to tumble. To turn round. (a) To change position so as to face in another direction. (b) To change one's opinion; to change from one view or party to another. To turn to, to apply one's self to; have recourse to; to refer to. ``Helvicus's tables may be turned to on all occasions.'' --Locke. To turn to account, profit, advantage, or the like, to be made profitable or advantageous; to become worth the while. To turn under, to bend, or be folded, downward or under. To turn up. (a) To bend, or be doubled, upward. (b) To appear; to come to light; to transpire; to occur; to happen.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Turn Turn, n. 1. The act of turning; movement or motion about, or as if about, a center or axis; revolution; as, the turn of a wheel. 2. Change of direction, course, or tendency; different order, position, or aspect of affairs; alteration; vicissitude; as, the turn of the tide. At length his complaint took a favorable turn. --Macaulay. The turns and varieties of all passions. --Hooker. Too well the turns of mortal chance I know. --Pope. 3. One of the successive portions of a course, or of a series of occurrences, reckoning from change to change; hence, a winding; a bend; a meander. And all its [the river's] thousand turns disclose. Some fresher beauty varying round. --Byron. 4. A circuitous walk, or a walk to and fro, ending where it began; a short walk; a stroll. Come, you and I must walk a turn together. --Shak. I will take a turn in your garden. --Dryden. 5. Successive course; opportunity enjoyed by alternation with another or with others, or in due order; due chance; alternate or incidental occasion; appropriate time. ``Nobleness and bounty . . . had their turns in his [the king's] nature.'' His turn will come to laugh at you again. --Denham. Every one has a fair turn to be as great as he pleases. --Collier. 6. Incidental or opportune deed or office; occasional act of kindness or malice; as, to do one an ill turn. Had I not done a friendes turn to thee? --Chaucer. thanks are half lost when good turns are delayed. --Fairfax. 7. Convenience; occasion; purpose; exigence; as, this will not serve his turn. I have enough to serve mine own turn. --Shak. 8. Form; cast; shape; manner; fashion; -- used in a literal or figurative sense; hence, form of expression; mode of signifying; as, the turn of thought; a man of a sprightly turn in conversation. The turn of both his expressions and thoughts is unharmonious. --Dryden. The Roman poets, in their description of a beautiful man, often mention the turn of his neck and arms. --Addison. 9. A change of condition; especially, a sudden or recurring symptom of illness, as a nervous shock, or fainting spell; as, a bad turn. [Colloq.] 10. A fall off the ladder at the gallows; a hanging; -- so called from the practice of causing the criminal to stand on a ladder which was turned over, so throwing him off, when the signal was given. [Obs.] 11. A round of a rope or cord in order to secure it, as about a pin or a cleat. 12. (Mining) A pit sunk in some part of a drift. 13. (Eng. Law) A court of record, held by the sheriff twice a year in every hundred within his county. --Blount. 14. pl. (Med.) Monthly courses; menses. [Colloq.] 15. (Mus.) An embellishment or grace (marked thus, ?), commonly consisting of the principal note, or that on which the turn is made, with the note above, and the semitone below, the note above being sounded first, the principal note next, and the semitone below last, the three being performed quickly, as a triplet preceding the marked note. The turn may be inverted so as to begin with the lower note, in which case the sign is either placed on end thus ?, or drawn thus ?. By turns. (a) One after another; alternately; in succession. (b) At intervals. ``[They] feel by turns the bitter change.'' --Milton. In turn, in due order of succession. To a turn, exactly; perfectly; as, done to a turn; -- a phrase alluding to the practice of cooking on a revolving spit. To take turns, to alternate; to succeed one another in due order. Turn and turn about, by equal alternating periods of service or duty; by turns. Turn bench, a simple portable lathe, used on a bench by clock makers and watchmakers. Turn buckle. See Turnbuckle, in Vocabulary. Turn cap, a sort of chimney cap which turns round with the wind so as to present its opening to the leeward. --G. Francis. Turn of life (Med.), change of life. See under Change. Turn screw, a screw driver.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(turns, turning, turned) Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English. Note: 'Turn' is used in a large number of other expressions which are explained under other words in the dictionary. For example, the expression 'turn over a new leaf' is explained at 'leaf'. 1. When you turn or when you turn part of your body, you move your body or part of your body so that it is facing in a different or opposite direction. He turned abruptly and walked away... He sighed, turning away and surveying the sea... He turned his head left and right... VERB: V, V prep/adv, V n adv/prep • Turn around or turn round means the same as turn. I felt a tapping on my shoulder and I turned around... Turn your upper body round so that your shoulders are facing to the side. PHRASAL VERB: V P, V n P 2. When you turn something, you move it so that it is facing in a different or opposite direction, or is in a very different position. They turned their telescopes towards other nearby galaxies... She had turned the bedside chair to face the door... The lid, turned upside down, served as a coffee table. VERB: V n prep/adv, V n to-inf, V-ed 3. When something such as a wheel turns, or when you turn it, it continually moves around in a particular direction. As the wheel turned, the potter shaped the clay... The engine turned a propeller. VERB: V, V n 4. When you turn something such as a key, knob, or switch, or when it turns, you hold it and twist your hand, in order to open something or make it start working. Turn a special key, press the brake pedal, and your car's brakes lock... Turn the heat to very low and cook for 20 minutes... I tried the doorknob and it turned. VERB: V n, V n prep/adv, V 5. When you turn in a particular direction or turn a corner, you change the direction in which you are moving or travelling. Now turn right to follow West Ferry Road... The man with the umbrella turned the corner again. VERB: V prep/adv, V n • Turn is also a noun. You can't do a right-hand turn here. N-COUNT 6. The point where a road, path, or river turns, is the point where it has a bend or curve in it. ...the corner where Tenterfield Road turned into the main road. VERB: V prep/adv, also V • Turn is also a noun. ...a sharp turn in the road. N-COUNT 7. When the tide turns, it starts coming in or going out. There was not much time before the tide turned. VERB: V 8. When you turn a page of a book or magazine, you move it so that is flat against the previous page, and you can read the next page. He turned the pages of a file in front of him. VERB: V n 9. If you turn a weapon or an aggressive feeling on someone, you point it at them or direct it at them. He tried to turn the gun on me... The crowd than turned their anger on Prime Minister James Mitchell. VERB: V n on n, V n on n 10. If you turn to a particular page in a book or magazine, you open it at that page. To order, turn to page 236. VERB: V to n 11. If you turn your attention or thoughts to a particular subject or if you turn to it, you start thinking about it or discussing it. We turned our attention to the practical matters relating to forming a company... We turn now to the British news. VERB: V n to n, V to n 12. If you turn to someone, you ask for their help or advice. For assistance, they turned to one of the city's most innovative museums... VERB: V to n 13. If you turn to a particular activity, job, or way of doing something, you start doing or using it. These communities are now turning to recycling in large numbers... VERB: V to/from n/-ing 14. To turn or be turned into something means to become that thing. A prince turns into a frog in this cartoon fairytale... The hated dictator had turned his country into one of the poorest police states in Europe... VERB: V into/to n, V n into/to n 15. You can use turn before an adjective to indicate that something or someone changes by acquiring the quality described by the adjective. If the bailiff thinks that things could turn nasty he will enlist the help of the police... = become V-LINK: V adj 16. If something turns a particular colour or if something turns it a particular colour, it becomes that colour. The sea would turn pale pink and the sky blood red... Her contact lenses turned her eyes green. V-LINK: V colour, V n colour 17. You can use turn to indicate that there is a change to a particular kind of weather. For example, if it turns cold, the weather starts being cold. If it turns cold, cover plants... V-LINK: V adj 18. If a situation or trend takes a particular kind of turn, it changes so that it starts developing in a different or opposite way. The scandal took a new turn over the weekend. N-COUNT: with supp, oft N in n 19. If a business turns a profit, it earns more money than it spends. (AM BUSINESS; in BRIT, use make, return) The firm will be able to service debt and still turn a modest profit... VERB: no passive, V n 20. When someone turns a particular age, they pass that age. When it turns a particular time, it passes that time. It was his ambition to accumulate a million dollars before he turned thirty... VERB: V n 21. Turn is used in expressions such as the turn of the century and the turn of the year to refer to a period of time when one century or year is ending and the next one is beginning. They fled to South America around the turn of the century. N-SING: the N of n 22. When someone turns a wooden or metal object that they are making, they shape it using a special tool. ...the joys of making a living from turning wood. VERB: V n 23. If it is your turn to do something, you now have the duty, chance, or right to do it, when other people have done it before you or will do it after you. Tonight it's my turn to cook... Let each child have a turn at fishing... N-COUNT: usu with poss, oft N to-inf, N at -ing, N -ing 24. If you say that someone is having a turn, you mean they feel suddenly very unwell for a short period of time. (BRIT INFORMAL) N-COUNT 25. see also turning 26. You can use by turns to indicate that someone has two particular emotions or qualities, one after the other. His tone was by turns angry and aggrieved. PHRASE: PHR with group, PHR with v 27. If there is a particular turn of events, a particular series of things happen. They were horrified at this unexpected turn of events. PHRASE 28. If you say that something happens at every turn, you are emphasizing that it happens frequently or all the time, usually so that it prevents you from achieving what you want. Its operations were hampered at every turn by inadequate numbers of trained staff... PHRASE: PHR after v, PHR with cl [emphasis] 29. If you do someone a good turn, you do something that helps or benefits them. He did you a good turn by resigning... PHRASE: usu PHR after v 30. If someone turns a place inside out or upside down, they search it very thoroughly and usually make it very untidy. They hadn't found a scrap of evidence though they had turned his flat inside out. PHRASE: V inflects 31. If something such as a system or way of life is turned inside out or upside down, it is changed completely, making people confused or upset. He felt too shocked to move. His world had been turned upside down. PHRASE: V inflects 32. You use in turn to refer to actions or events that are in a sequence one after the other, for example because one causes the other. One of the members of the surgical team leaked the story to a fellow physician who, in turn, confided in a reporter. PHRASE: PHR with cl/group 33. If each person in a group does something in turn, they do it one after the other in a fixed or agreed order. There were cheers for each of the women as they spoke in turn. PHRASE: PHR after v 34. If you speak out of turn or talk out of turn, you say something that you do not have the right or authority to say. I hope I haven't spoken out of turn. PHRASE: V inflects 35. If two or more people take turns to do something, or in British English take it in turns to do something, they do it one after the other several times, rather than doing it together. We took turns to drive the car... PHRASE: V inflects, oft PHR to-inf 36. If a situation takes a turn for the worse, it suddenly becomes worse. If a situation takes a turn for the better, it suddenly becomes better. Her condition took a sharp turn for the worse. PHRASE: V inflects

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

I. v. a. 1. Revolve, move round, turn round, make go round. 2. Cause to deviate, cast, deflect, inflect, bend, incline differently, change the direction of. 3. Divert, transfer, use, employ. 4. Reverse the position of, turn over. 5. Shape (as in a lathe), form, mould, fashion. 6. Adapt, fit, suit. 7. Change, alter, transmute, metamorphose, transform, convert. 8. Change opinion, alter belief. 9. Translate, construe, render. 10. Direct, apply. 11. Direct the look to, change position. 12. Transfer. 13. Revolve, agitate. 14. Reverse, repeal. 15. Acidify, make sour, make acid. II. v. n. 1. Revolve, whirl, turn round, have a circular motion, wheel round. 2. Be directed, have direction. 3. Deviate, incline, bend, be deflected. 4. Be changed, be transformed, be converted, be altered, become transmuted. 5. Grow, become. 6. Become sour, become acid. 7. Depend, hinge, pivot, hang, be dependent. 8. Result, terminate, come about, eventuate, issue. 9. Become giddy, grow dizzy. III. n. 1. Revolution, movement about a centre, act of turning, rotation, gyration, round. 2. Change of direction, alteration, of course, new tendency, deviation, deflection, flexion, flexure, bend, bending, sweep, winding, twist, turning. 3. Change, alteration, vicissitude, variation. 4. Winding, bend, brief walk, short excursion. 5. Successive course, due chance, appropriate time. 6. Opportune deed, occasional kindness, act, action, deed, office. 7. Convenience, occasion, purpose, exigence. 8. Form, cast, shape, manner, fashion, phase, guise. 9. Form of expression, mode of signifying. 10. Aptitude, talent, bias, proclivity, gift, genius, propensity, proneness.