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turn by Michael Rundell for Logophile Week

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2009 Sep 5

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verb, to change or cause to change positions by moving through an arc of a circle

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How people on twitter are using the word turn

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turn by Collins

  1. 1) verb, to move or cause to move around an axis
  2. 2) verb, to change or cause to change positions by moving through an arc of a circle
  3. 3) verb, to change or cause to change in course, direction, etc
  4. 4) verb, (of soldiers, ships, etc) to alter the direction of advance by changing direction simultaneously or (of a commander) to cause the direction of advance to be altered simultaneously
  5. 5) verb, to go or pass to the other side of (a corner, etc)
  6. 6) verb, to assume or cause to assume a rounded, curved, or folded form
  7. 7) verb, to reverse or cause to reverse position
  8. 8) verb, to pass round (an enemy or enemy position) so as to attack it from the flank or rear
  9. 9) verb, to perform or do by a rotating movement
  10. 10) verb, to shape or cut a thread in (a workpiece, esp one of metal, wood, or plastic) by rotating it on a lathe against a fixed cutting tool
  11. 11) verb, to change or convert or be changed or converted
  12. 12) verb, to change or cause to change in nature, character, etc
  13. 13) verb, to change so as to become
  14. 14) verb, to cause (foliage, etc) to change colour or (of foliage, etc) to change colour
  15. 15) verb, to cause (milk, etc) to become rancid or sour or (of milk, etc) to become rancid or sour
  16. 16) verb, to change or cause to change in subject, trend, etc
  17. 17) verb, to direct or apply or be directed or applied
  18. 18) verb, to appeal or apply (to) for help, advice, etc
  19. 19) verb, to reach, pass, or progress beyond in age, time, etc
  20. 20) verb, to cause or allow to go
  21. 21) verb, to affect or be affected with nausea
  22. 22) verb, to affect or be affected with giddiness
  23. 23) verb, to affect the mental or emotional stability of (esp in the phrase turn (someone's) head)
  24. 24) verb, to release from a container
  25. 25) verb, to render into another language
  26. 26) verb, to transfer or reverse or cause to transfer or reverse (one's loyalties, affections, etc)
  27. 27) verb, to cause (an enemy agent) to become a double agent working for one's own side
  28. 28) verb, to bring (soil) from lower layers to the surface
  29. 29) verb, to blunt (an edge) or (of an edge) to become blunted
  30. 30) verb, to give a graceful form to
  31. 31) verb, to reverse (a cuff, collar, etc) in order to hide the outer worn side
  32. 32) verb, to be merchandised as specified
  33. 33) verb, cricket to spin (the ball) or (of the ball) to spin
  34. 34) verb, turn one's hand to to undertake (something, esp something practical)
  35. 35) verb, turn tail to run away; flee
  36. 36) verb, turn the tables (on someone). See table
  37. 37) verb, turn the tide to reverse the general course of events
  38. 38) noun, an act or instance of turning or the state of being turned or the material turned
  39. 39) noun, a movement of complete or partial rotation
  40. 40) noun, a change or reversal of direction or position
  41. 41) noun, direction or drift
  42. 42) noun, a deviation or departure from a course or tendency
  43. 43) noun, the place, point, or time at which a deviation or change occurs
  44. 44) noun, another word for turning
  45. 45) noun, the right or opportunity to do something in an agreed order or succession
  46. 46) noun, a change in nature, condition, etc
  47. 47) noun, a period of action, work, etc
  48. 48) noun, a short walk, ride, or excursion
  49. 49) noun, natural inclination
  50. 50) noun, distinctive form or style
  51. 51) noun, requirement, need, or advantage
  52. 52) noun, a deed performed that helps or hinders someone
  53. 53) noun, a twist, bend, or distortion in shape
  54. 54) noun, music a melodic ornament that makes a turn around a note, beginning with the note above, in a variety of sequences
  55. 55) noun, theatre a short theatrical act, esp in music hall, cabaret, etc
  56. 56) noun, stock exchange a) the difference between a market maker's bid and offer prices, representing the market maker's profit b) a transaction including both a purchase and a sale
  57. 57) noun, a military manoeuvre in which men or ships alter their direction of advance together
  58. 58) noun, slang a party
  59. 59) noun, a shock or surprise
  60. 60) noun, at every turn on all sides or occasions
  61. 61) noun, by turns one after another; alternately
  62. 62) noun, on the turn a) at the point of change b) about to go rancid
  63. 63) noun, out of turn a) not in the correct or agreed order of succession b) improperly, inappropriately, or inopportunely
  64. 64) noun, turn and turn about one after another; alternately
  65. 65) noun, to a turn to the proper amount; perfectly ▷ See also turn against ▷ See also, turn away ▷ See also, turn down ▷ See also, turn in ▷ See also, turn off ▷ See also, turn on ▷ See also, turn out ▷ See also, turn over ▷ See also, turn to ▷ See also, turn up

Etymology

Old English tyrnian, from Old French torner, from Latin tornāre to turn in a lathe, from tornus lathe, from Greek tornos dividers

Collins English Electronic Dictionary - Digital Edition: 2008 © HarperCollins Publishers 2008

Michael Rundell

 

Lexicographer from Canterbury , England

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Synonyms

opportunity, fashion, talent, transform, revolution, bias, time, rotation, turning, cycle, circle, spin, twist, reversal, whirl, swivel, pivot, gyration, bend, curve, shift, departure, deviation, direction, course, tack, swing, tendency, drift, go, spell, shot (informal), try, round, chance, period, crack (informal), succession, fling, stint, whack (informal), stroll, airing, walk, drive, ride, circuit, constitutional, outing, excursion, promenade, jaunt, saunter, deed, service, act, action, favour, gesture, inclination, gift, leaning, bent, flair, affinity, knack, propensity, aptitude, veer, move, return, go back, switch, reverse, swerve, rotate, revolve, roll, wheel, spiral, twirl, gyrate, come round, negotiate, pass, corner, change, shape, convert, alter, adapt, mould, form, mutate, refit, metamorphose, transmute, transfigure, cast, frame, construct, execute, make, sicken, upset, nauseate, go off, spoil, sour, taint, Brit. informal curdle, Informal shock, start, surprise, scare, jolt, fright, by turns alternately, reciprocal (Informal), to a turn perfectly, correct, precisely, exactly

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