turning

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   act of changing in practice or custom

   the law took many turnings over the years

2. 2
   noun

   a movement in a new direction

   the turning of the wind

3. 3
   noun

   A turn or deviation from a straight course.

   Take the second turning on the left.

4. 4
   noun

   The act of one who turns (rotates or twists).

   Still talking—more to herself than to the children—she swam into a majestical dance of the stateliest balancings, the haughtiest wheelings and turnings aside, the most dignified sinkings, the gravest risings, all joined together by the elaboratest interlacing steps and circles.

5. 5
   noun

   One of the four eras, each lasting for about 21 years, that make up a saeculum according to the Strauss-Howe generational theory.

   Howe and Strauss predicted that in the Fourth Turning, Millennials would unite behind their president.

6. 6
   noun

   Shavings produced by turning something on a lathe.

   The turnings get into your trouser turnups!

7. 7
   verb

   present participle and gerund of turn

   The Earth is turning about its axis as we speak.

8. 8
   noun

   the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course

Etymology

From Middle English turninge, turnynge, turninde, turnand, turnende, from Old English tyrnende, turniende, present participle of Old English tyrnan, turnian (“to turn”). Equivalent to turn + -ing.