Definition

1. Noun:
   • The activity or process of shaping an object on a lathe: "Turning" refers to the craft or action of cutting and shaping a piece of wood, metal, or other material while it rotates on a lathe.
   • The end product created by shaping something on a lathe: "Turning" can also refer to the finished object produced through this process, such as a table leg or a decorative spindle.
   • A movement in a new direction; a change in course or orientation: This meaning describes the act of changing direction, such as a vehicle or a person altering their path.
   • A shaving or piece of waste material produced when something is turned on a lathe: This refers to the thin curls or chips of material removed during the turning process.
   • The act of changing or reversing the direction of a course: Similar to the third meaning, this emphasizes the action of changing direction.
   • A place where a road or path changes direction; a bend or corner: This refers to a specific point, like a junction or curve in a road.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • He learned the art of wood turning in his workshop. (He learned the craft of shaping wood on a lathe.)
  • The intricate turning on the staircase was beautifully crafted. (The shaped wooden part of the staircase was beautifully crafted.)
  • The sudden turning of the tide surprised the sailors. (The sudden change in the tide's direction surprised the sailors.)
  • Sweep up the metal turnings from the workshop floor. (Sweep up the metal shavings from the workshop floor.)
  • His quick turning allowed him to avoid the obstacle. (His quick change of direction allowed him to avoid the obstacle.)
  • Take the second turning on your left. (Take the second road on your left.)

Advanced Usage

• "A turning point": A critical moment that marks a decisive change in a situation, course of action, or life.
  • The invention of the internet was a major turning point in communication.
• "In the turning": In the process of being shaped on a lathe.
  • The bowl is still in the turning and isn't finished yet.

Variants and Related Words

• Turn (verb/noun): The base form, meaning to rotate, change direction, or a chance or opportunity in a sequence.
• Turner (noun): A person who operates a lathe; a craftsperson skilled in turning.
• Lathe-turned (adjective): Describing an object that has been shaped on a lathe.
  • The chair had lathe-turned legs.

Synonyms

• Rotation (for the action of spinning).
• Bend, curve (for a change in a path).
• Pivot, shift (for a change in direction or focus).
• Shaping, machining (for the lathe work).

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

(Note: "Turning" itself is not typically used to form phrasal verbs. The base verb "turn" is used.) - Turn into: To change or transform into something else. - The old factory turned into luxury apartments. - Turn around: To reverse direction; to improve a bad situation. - The new manager helped turn the company around.

Related Idioms

• Turn over a new leaf: To start behaving in a better way.
  • After the incident, he decided to turn over a new leaf.
• Turn the tide: To reverse the trend of events.
  • The new evidence turned the tide in the trial.

Noun

1. the activity of shaping something on a lathe
2. the end-product created by shaping something on a lathe
3. a movement in a new direction
   • the turning of the wind
4. a shaving created when something is produced by turning it on a lathe
5. act of changing in practice or custom
   • the law took many turnings over the years
6. the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
   • he took a turn to the right