The word "downturned" is spelled d-a-u-n-t-ʌ-r-n-d, with the emphasis on the second syllable. The first syllable is pronounced like "down," and the second syllable is pronounced with the schwa sound, which is the most common vowel sound in English. The final syllable is pronounced like "turned." This word describes something that has been turned downward, such as downturned eyes or downturned corners of the mouth. It can also refer to a negative trend in the economy or other aspect of life.
The term "downturned" is an adjective used to describe something that is turned or angled downwards. It refers to the downward direction or position of an object or a part of an object.
When used in the context of facial features, "downturned" typically describes the shape or position of the eyes or the corners of the mouth. It signifies the characteristic appearance of eyes or mouth that have a slight downward slant towards the outer edges. In this context, "downturned" is often associated with a sad or melancholic expression.
In the field of economics, "downturned" is commonly used to refer to a decline or contraction in the overall economy. It describes a period of reduced economic activity, typically characterized by a decrease in production, employment, and spending. During a downturn, businesses may experience a decline in profits, and individuals may face challenges in finding or maintaining employment.
The term can also be used in a more general sense to describe a negative trend or decline in various contexts, such as a decline in sales, a decrease in performance, or a drop in morale.
Overall, "downturned" is a versatile term used to describe something that is turned downward, whether it pertains to physical characteristics, economic conditions, or general trends.
The word "downturned" is a compound word formed by combining the prefix "down-" and the verb "turn".
The prefix "down-" originates from Old English "dūne", which refers to the position or movement toward a lower level, a descending direction, or a loss of status or quality. It has its roots in Proto-Germanic and is related to the Old Norse "dūnn", meaning "down" or "dune".
The word "turn" comes from Old English "tyrnan", meaning "to rotate" or "to revolve". It has its roots in the Proto-Germanic word "*thur-", which ultimately traces back to the Proto-Indo-European root "*tornos", meaning "to turn" or "to rotate".
When these two elements are combined, "downturned" describes something that has turned downward or is facing in a downward direction.