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Spin vs. Turn — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Spin and Turn

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Spin

To rotate rapidly; whirl.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To cause to move around an axis or center; cause to rotate or revolve
A motor turns the wheels.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

To have a sensation of whirling, as from dizziness; reel
My head spun after I did a cartwheel.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To cause to move around in order to achieve a result, such as opening, closing, tightening, or loosening
Turn the key.
Turn a screw.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

To make thread or yarn by drawing out and twisting fibers.
Oct 12, 2021
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Turn

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.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

To extrude viscous filaments, forming a web or cocoon.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To perform or accomplish by rotating or revolving
Turn a somersault.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

To fish with a light rod, lure, and line and a reel with a stationary spool.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To change the position of so that the underside becomes the upper side
Turn the steak.
Turn a page.
Oct 12, 2021
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Spin

To cause to rotate swiftly; twirl
Spin a top.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To spade or plow (soil) to bring the undersoil to the surface.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

To shape or manufacture by a twirling or rotating process.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To reverse and resew the material of (a collar, for example).
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

(Informal) To play (a recorded piece of music, such as a phonograph record), especially as a disc jockey.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To revolve in the mind; meditate on; ponder
Turned the question in her mind.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

To provide an interpretation of (a statement or event, for example), especially in a way meant to sway public opinion
"a messenger who spins bogus research into a vile theology of hatred" (William A. Henry III).
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To give a rounded form to (wood, for example) by rotating against a cutting tool.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

To draw out and twist (fibers) into thread.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To give a rounded shape to (clay, for example) by rotating and shaping with the hands or tools.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

To form (thread or yarn) in this manner.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To give a rounded form to
Turn a heel in knitting a sock.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

To form (a web or cocoon, for example) by extruding viscous filaments.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

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).
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

To relate or create
Spin a story.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To change the position of by traversing an arc of a circle; pivot
Turned his chair toward the speaker.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

The act of spinning.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To present in a specified direction by rotating or pivoting
Turn one's face to the wall.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

A swift whirling motion.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To cause (a scale) to move up or down so as to register weight
Even a feather will turn a delicate scale.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

A state of mental confusion
I've been in a spin about this all week.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To fold, bend, or twist (something).
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

(Informal) A short drive in a vehicle
Took a spin in the new car.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

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.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

The flight condition of an aircraft in a nose-down, spiraling, stalled descent.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To make a bend or curve in
Strong enough to turn a bar of steel.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

A distinctive point of view, emphasis, or interpretation
"adept at putting spin on an apparently neutral recital of facts" (Robert M. Adams).
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To blunt or dull (the edge of a cutting instrument).
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

A distinctive character or style
An innovative chef who puts a new spin on traditional fare.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To injure by twisting
Turn an ankle.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

The angular momentum of rotation of a rigid body about its own axis.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To upset or make nauseated
That story turns my stomach.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

The intrinsic angular momentum of a subatomic particle. Also called spin angular momentum.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To change the direction or course of
Turn the car to the left.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

(ergative) To rotate, revolve, gyrate (usually quickly); to partially or completely rotate to face another direction.
I spun myself around a few times.
Spin the ball on the floor.
She spun around and gave him a big smile.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To divert or deflect
Turn a stampede.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

To enter, or remain in, a spin (abnormal stalled flight mode).
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

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).
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

To cause one's aircraft to enter or remain in a spin (abnormal stalled flight mode).
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To make a course around or about
Turn a corner.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

(transitive) To make yarn by twisting and winding fibers together.
They spin the cotton into thread.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To reach and pass (a specified age)
My niece has turned two.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

(figurative) To present, describe, or interpret, or to introduce a bias or slant, so as to give something a favorable or advantageous appearance.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To change the purpose, intention, or content of by persuasion or influence
Her speech turned my thinking.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

To make the ball move sideways when it bounces on the pitch.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To change the order or disposition of; unsettle
"Sudden prosperity had turned [his] head" (Thomas Macaulay).
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

To move sideways when bouncing.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To aim or focus
Turn one's gaze to the sky.
Turned the camera on the speaker.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

(cooking) To form into thin strips or ribbons, as with sugar
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To devote or apply (oneself, for example) to something
She turned herself to law.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

To form (a web, a cocoon, silk, etc.) from threads produced by the extrusion of a viscid, transparent liquid, which hardens on coming into contact with the air; said of the spider, the silkworm, etc.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To cause to act or go against; make antagonistic
The scandal turned public opinion against the candidate.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

To shape, as malleable sheet metal, into a hollow form, by bending or buckling it by pressing against it with a smooth hand tool or roller while the metal revolves, as in a lathe.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To cause to go in a specific direction; direct
They turned their steps toward home.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

To move swiftly.
To spin along the road in a carriage, on a bicycle, etc.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To send, drive, or let go
Turn the bully out of the bar.
Turned the dog loose.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

To stream or issue in a thread or a small current or jet.
Blood spins from a vein.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To pour, let fall, or otherwise release (contents) from or into a receptacle
Turn the dough onto a floured board.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

To wait in a loop until some condition becomes true.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

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.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

To play (vinyl records, etc.) as a disc jockey.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To affect or change the color of
Autumn turns the green leaves golden.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

To use an exercise bicycle, especially as part of a gym class.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To make sour; ferment
Lack of refrigeration turned the milk.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

To ride a bicycle at a fast cadence.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To exchange; convert. Used with to or into
Turns her singing talent into extra money.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

To search rapidly.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To keep in circulation; sell and restock
We turned a great deal of merchandise during the holidays.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

Rapid circular motion.
The car went into a spin.
The skaters demonstrated their spins.
He put some spin on the cue ball.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To make use of
Turned the situation to our advantage.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

(physics) A quantum angular momentum associated with subatomic particles, which also creates a magnetic moment.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To get by buying and selling
Turn a fair profit.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

A favourable comment or interpretation intended to bias opinion on an otherwise unpleasant situation.
Try to put a positive spin on the disappointing sales figures.
The politician was mocked in the press for his reliance on spin rather than facts.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To perform successfully; complete
Turn a double play.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

(sports) Rotation of the ball as it flies through the air; sideways movement of the ball as it bounces.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

(Slang) To perform (an act of prostitution)
Turning tricks.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

(aviation) A condition of flight where a stalled aircraft is simultaneously pitching, yawing and rolling in a spinning motion.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To move around an axis or center; rotate or revolve.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

(mechanical engineering) An abnormal condition in journal bearings where the bearing seizes to the rotating shaft and rotates inside the journal, destroying both the shaft and the journal.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To have a sensation of revolving or whirling, especially as a result of dizziness or giddiness
My head is turning.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

A brief trip by vehicle, especially one made for pleasure.
I'm off out for a spin in my new sports car.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To change position from side to side or back and forth
I tossed and turned all night.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

A bundle of spun material; a mass of strands and filaments.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To progress through pages so as to arrive at a given place
Please turn to page 31.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

A single play of a record by a radio station.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To operate a lathe.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

A search of a prisoner's cell for forbidden articles.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To be formed on a lathe
A softwood that turns easily.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

(dated) An unmarried woman; a spinster.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To direct one's way or course
The truck turned into the gas station. Turn off the highway at the next exit.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

(uncountable) The use of an exercise bicycle, especially as part of a gym class.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To change or reverse one's way, course, or direction
Too tired to go farther, we turned toward home.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

Special interest of an autistic person.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To change one's actions or attitudes adversely; become hostile or antagonistic
The peasants turned against the cruel king.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

To draw out, and twist into threads, either by the hand or machinery; as, to spin wool, cotton, or flax; to spin goat's hair; to produce by drawing out and twisting a fibrous material.
All the yarn she [Penelope] spun in Ulysses' absence did but fill Ithaca full of moths.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To attack suddenly and violently with no apparent motive
The lion turned on the animal trainer.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

To draw out tediously; to form by a slow process, or by degrees; to extend to a great length; - with out; as, to spin out large volumes on a subject.
Do you mean that story is tediously spun out?
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

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).
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

To protract; to spend by delays; as, to spin out the day in idleness.
By one delay after another they spin out their whole lives.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To devote or apply oneself to something, as to a field of study
Unsuccessful in math, the student turned to biology.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

To cause to turn round rapidly; to whirl; to twirl; as, to spin a top.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To convert to a religion.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

To form (a web, a cocoon, silk, or the like) from threads produced by the extrusion of a viscid, transparent liquid, which hardens on coming into contact with the air; - said of the spider, the silkworm, etc.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To switch one's loyalty from one side or party to another.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

To shape, as malleable sheet metal, into a hollow form, by bending or buckling it by pressing against it with a smooth hand tool or roller while the metal revolves, as in a lathe.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To have recourse to a person or thing for help, support, or information
You can always turn to me for advice.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

To practice spinning; to work at drawing and twisting threads; to make yarn or thread from fiber; as, the woman knows how to spin; a machine or jenny spins with great exactness.
They neither know to spin, nor care to toll.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To start to use (something) as a solution to a problem or relief of distress
When things got really bad, he turned to drugs.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

To move round rapidly; to whirl; to revolve, as a top or a spindle, about its axis.
Round about him spun the landscape,Sky and forest reeled together.
With a whirligig of jubilant mosquitoes spinning about each head.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To depend on something for success or failure; hinge
"The election would turn not on ideology but on competence" (George F. Will).
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

To stream or issue in a thread or a small current or jet; as, blood spinsfrom a vein.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To change so as to be; become
His hair turned gray. I am a lawyer turned novelist.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

To move swifty; as, to spin along the road in a carriage, on a bicycle, etc.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To change; become transformed. Used with to or into
The sky turned to pink at dawn. The night turned into day.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

The act of spinning; as, the spin of a top; a spin a bicycle.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To change color
The leaves have turned.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

Velocity of rotation about some specified axis.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To become sour
The milk will turn if you don't refrigerate it.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

An interpretation of an event which is favorable to the interpreter or to the person s/he supports. A person whose task is to provide such interpretations for public relations purposes is called a spin doctor.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To be stocked and sold
This merchandise will turn easily.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

A swift whirling motion (usually of a missile)
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To become dull or blunt by bending back. Used of the edge of a cutting instrument.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

The act of rotating rapidly;
He gave the crank a spin
It broke off after much twisting
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

The act of turning or the condition of being turned; rotation or revolution.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

A short drive in a car;
He took the new car for a spin
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

A change of direction, motion, or position
Make a left turn at the corner.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

Rapid descent of an aircraft in a steep spiral
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

A place, as in a road or path, where a change in direction occurs; a curve
A sharp turn in the road.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

A distinctive interpretation (especially as used by politicians to sway public opinion);
The campaign put a favorable spin on the story
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

A change or deviation, as in a trend
A strange turn of events.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

Revolve quickly and repeatedly around one's own axis;
The dervishes whirl around and around without getting dizzy
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

A change or development in a particular way
The patient took a turn for the worse.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

Stream in jets, of liquids;
The creek spun its course through the woods
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

A variation of a given kind or type
"His muse occasionally takes a humorous and satirical turn" (Albert C. Baugh).
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

Cause to spin;
Spin a coin
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

A point marking the end of one period of time and the beginning of the next
The turn of the century.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

Make up a story;
Spin a yarn
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

The midway point in a round of 18 holes of golf, at which the first set of nine holes has been completed.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

Form a web by making a thread;
Spiders spin a fine web
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

A period of participation
Had a turn at wrestling in college.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

Work natural fibers into a thread;
Spin silk
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

A chance or opportunity
Took advantage at every turn.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

Twist and turn so as to give an intended interpretation;
The President's spokesmen had to spin the story to make it less embarrasing
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

One of a series of such opportunities accorded people in succession or in scheduled order
Waiting for her next turn at bat.
Oct 12, 2021

Spin

Prolong or extend;
Spin out a visit
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

An attack of illness or severe nervousness.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

A momentary shock or scare
I had quite a turn when I heard the crash.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

A characteristic mood, style, or habit; a natural inclination
An inquisitive turn of mind.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

A distinctive, graceful, or artistic expression or arrangement of words
The poetic turn of a phrase.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

A deed or action having a good or bad effect on another
"He thought some friend had done him an ill turn" (Stephen Crane).
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

A short walk or excursion out and back
Took a turn in the park.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

A single wind or convolution, as of wire on a spool.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

(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.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

A brief theatrical act or stage appearance.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

A transaction on the stock market involving both a sale and a purchase.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

The fourth community card in Texas hold'em.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

Upper Southern & South Atlantic US An amount that can be carried or transported in one load
A turn of firewood.
A turn of corn.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To make a non-linear physical movement.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

(intransitive) Of a body, person, etc, to move around an axis through itself.
The Earth turns;
Turn on the spot
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

(transitive) To change the direction or orientation of, especially by rotation.
Turn the knob clockwise.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

(intransitive) To change one's direction of travel.
She turned right at the corner.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

(transitive) To shape (something) symmetrically by rotating it against a stationary cutting tool, as on a lathe.
She turned the table legs with care and precision.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

(by extension) To give form to; to shape or mould; to adapt.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

(transitive) To position (something) by folding it, or using its folds.
Turn the bed covers;
Turn the pages
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To navigate through a book or other printed material.
Turn to page twenty;
Turn through the book
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

Of a bowler, to make (the ball) move sideways off the pitch when it bounces.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

Of a ball, to move sideways off the pitch when it bounces.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

(intransitive) To change condition or attitude.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

(copulative) To become begin to be.
The leaves turn brown in autumn. When I asked him for the money, he turned nasty.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

(intransitive) To change the color of the leaves in the autumn.
The hillside behind our house isn't generally much to look at, but once all the trees turn it's gorgeous.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To change fundamentally; to metamorphose.
Midas made everything turn to gold.
He turned into a monster every full moon.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To reach a certain age.
Charlie turns six on September 29.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To hinge; to depend.
The decision turns on a single fact.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To rebel; to go against something formerly tolerated.
The prisoners turned on the warden.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To change personal condition.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To change one's course of action; to take a new approach.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To complete.
They say they can turn the parts in two days.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

(transitive) To make (money); turn a profit.
We turned a pretty penny with that little scheme.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

Of a player, to go past an opposition player with the ball in one's control.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To undergo the process of turning on a lathe.
Ivory turns well.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

(obstetrics) To bring down the feet of a child in the womb, in order to facilitate delivery.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To invert a type of the same thickness, as a temporary substitute for any sort which is exhausted.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

(archaic) To translate.
To turn the Iliad
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To magically or divinely attack undead.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

A change of direction or orientation.
Give the handle a turn, then pull it.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

A movement of an object about its own axis in one direction that continues until the object returns to its initial orientation.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

(geometry) A unit of plane angle measurement based on this movement.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

A walk to and fro.
Let's take a turn in the garden.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

A chance to use (something) shared in sequence with others.
They took turns playing with the new toy.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

A spell of work, especially the time allotted to a person in a rota or schedule.
I cooked tonight, so it's your turn to do the dishes.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

One's chance to make a move in a game having two or more players.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

A figure in music, often denoted ~, consisting of the note above the one indicated, the note itself, the note below the one indicated, and the note itself again.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

The time required to complete a project.
They quote a three-day turn on parts like those.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

A fit or a period of giddiness.
I've had a funny turn.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

A change in temperament or circumstance.
She took a turn for the worse.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

(cricket) A sideways movement of the ball when it bounces (caused by rotation in flight).
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

(poker) The fourth communal card in Texas hold 'em.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

The flop (the first three community cards) in Texas hold 'em.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

A deed done to another; an act of kindness or malice.
One good turn deserves another.
I felt that the man was of a vindictive nature, and would do me an evil turn if he found the opportunitynb....
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

A single loop of a coil.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

(rope) A pass behind or through an object.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

Character; personality; nature.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

(soccer) An instance of going past an opposition player with the ball in one's control.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

A short skit, act, or routine.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

A type turned upside down to serve for another character that is not available.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

The profit made by a stockjobber, being the difference between the buying and selling prices.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

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.
The monarch turns him to his royal guest.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

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.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

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.
Thrice I deluded her, and turned to sportHer importunity.
My thoughts are turned on peace.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

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.
God will make these evils the occasion of a greater good, by turning them to advantage in this world.
When the passage is open, land will be turned most to cattle; when shut, to sheep.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

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.
And David said, O Lord, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.
Impatience turns an ague into a fever.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

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.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

Hence, to give form to; to shape; to mold; to put in proper condition; to adapt.
His limbs how turned, how broad his shoulders spread !
He was perfectly well turned for trade.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To translate; to construe; as, to turn the Iliad.
Who turns a Persian tale for half a crown.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To make acid or sour; to ferment; to curdle, etc.: as, to turn cider or wine; electricity turns milk quickly.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

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.
We turn not back the silks upon the merchants,When we have soiled them.
I'll turn you out of my kingdom.
This house is turned upside down since Robin Ostler died.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To sicken; to nauseate; as, an emetic turns one's stomach.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

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.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

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.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

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.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

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.
Turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways.
The understanding turns inward on itself, and reflects on its own operations.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

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 Muslim.
I hope you have no intent to turn husband.
Cygnets from gray turn white.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To undergo the process of turning on a lathe; as, ivory turns well.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To become acid; to sour; - said of milk, ale, etc.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To become giddy; - said of the head or brain.
I'll look no more;Lest my brain turn.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To invert a type of the same thickness, as temporary substitute for any sort which is exhausted.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To be nauseated; - said of the stomach.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To become inclined in the other direction; - said of scales.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To change from ebb to flow, or from flow to ebb; - said of the tide.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To bring down the feet of a child in the womb, in order to facilitate delivery.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

The act of turning; movement or motion about, or as if about, a center or axis; revolution; as, the turn of a wheel.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

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.
The turns and varieties of all passions.
Too well the turns of mortal chance I know.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

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.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

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.
I will take a turn in your garden.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

Successive course; opportunity enjoyed by alternation with another or with others, or in due order; due chance; alternate or incidental occasion; appropriate time.
His turn will come to laugh at you again.
Every one has a fair turn to be as great as he pleases.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

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?
Thanks are half lost when good turns are delayed.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

Convenience; occasion; purpose; exigence; as, this will not serve his turn.
I have enough to serve mine own turn.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

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.
The Roman poets, in their description of a beautiful man, often mention the turn of his neck and arms.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

A change of condition; especially, a sudden or recurring symptom of illness, as a nervous shock, or fainting spell; as, a bad turn.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

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.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

A round of a rope or cord in order to secure it, as about a pin or a cleat.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

A pit sunk in some part of a drift.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

A court of record, held by the sheriff twice a year in every hundred within his county.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

Monthly courses; menses.
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

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 .
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

A circular segment of a curve;
A bend in the road
A crook in the path
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

The act of changing or reversing the direction of the course;
He took a turn to the right
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

The activity of doing something in an agreed succession;
It is my turn
It is still my play
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

An unforeseen development;
Events suddenly took an awkward turn
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

A movement in a new direction;
The turning of the wind
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

Turning away or in the opposite direction;
He made an abrupt turn away from her
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

Turning or twisting around (in place);
With a quick twist of his head he surveyed the room
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

A time for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else);
It's my go
A spell of work
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

(sports) a period of play during which one team is on the offensive
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

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
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

A favor for someone;
He did me a good turn
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

Taking a short walk out and back;
We took a turn in the park
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

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
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

Undergo a change or development;
The water turned into ice
Her former friend became her worst enemy
He turned traitor
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

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
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

Cause to move around or rotate;
Turn a key
Turn your palm this way
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

Pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become;
The weather turned nasty
She grew angry
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To send or let go;
They turned away the crowd at the gate of the governor's mansion
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

Pass to the other side of;
Turn the corner
Move around the obstacle
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

Move around an axis or a center;
The wheels are turning
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

Cause to move around a center so as to show another side of;
Turn a page of a book
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

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
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

To break and turn over earth especially with a plow;
Farmer Jones plowed his east field last week
Turn the earth in the Spring
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

Change color;
In Vermont, the leaves turn early
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

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
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

Let (something) fall or spill a container;
Turn the flour onto a plate
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

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
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

Shape by rotating on a lathe or cutting device or a wheel;
Turn the legs of the table
Turn the clay on the wheel
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

Go sour or spoil;
The milk has soured
The wine worked
The cream has turned--we have to throw it out
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

Accomplish by rotating;
Turn a somersault
Turn cartwheels
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

Get by buying and selling;
The company turned a good profit after a year
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

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
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

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 millenium
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

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
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

Alter the functioning or setting of;
Turn the dial to 10
Turn the heat down
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

Direct at someone;
She turned a smile on me
They turned their flashlights on the car
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

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
Oct 12, 2021

Turn

Become officially one year older;
She is turning 50 this year
Oct 12, 2021

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