turn — to move or cause to move in a circular direction
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to move or cause to move in a circular direction
Pronunciation (IPA): /tɜːrn/
Example Sentences
- My dog can turn 360 degrees when he sees treats!
- Please turn your phone to silent mode during the movie.
- He turned red when everyone started laughing at his joke.
turn
VERB[/tɜːrn/]
to move or cause to move in a circular direction
a young girl pushes the metal handles of a merry-go-round with both hands, causing it to spin faster. Three other children sit on the circular platform, holding tight as they rotate around and around. The spinning motion makes their hair flow backward and creates motion blur lines showing the circular path. As the merry-go-round gains speed, the children's expressions show excitement and joy from the rotational movement. A few children waiting nearby watch the spinning platform move in its continuous circular motion. the merry-go-round turning in a circular direction as children experience the rotating movement
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The word derives from Old English 'tyrnan', originally meaning 'to shape on a lathe' or 'to fashion with a turning tool'. The semantic shift from the craftsman's action of rotating wood on a lathe to the general concept of circular motion and rotation gave rise to the modern meaning 'to rotate or revolve'.
Breakdown
Old English 'tyrnan' (to turn on a lathe) > Middle English 'turnen' > Modern English 'turn'. The root relates to the action of lathe work, where materials were rotated to be shaped, generalizing to any rotational or circular movement.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My dog can turn 360 degrees when he sees treats!”
“Please turn your phone to silent mode during the movie.”
“He turned red when everyone started laughing at his joke.”
“Wait for your turn in line, please.”
“My alarm clock turned into my worst enemy this morning.”
📚Related Words
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