The word "looked away" is spelled using the vowel sound /ʊ/, represented by the letters OO. This sound is followed by the consonant combinations KW and D, representing the consonant clusters /kw/ and /d/. In IPA phonetic transcription, this word is spelled /lʊkt əˈweɪ/. To spell this word correctly, it is important to remember the vowel sound and consonant clusters used. "Looked away" means to avert one's gaze or turn one's head to avoid looking at someone or something.
Looked away is a verb phrase that refers to the action of deliberately directing one's gaze or attention elsewhere, away from the present object, person, or situation that is being observed or experienced. It entails deliberately diverting one's eyes or focus to another direction.
When someone looks away, it often indicates a conscious act of avoidance or disinterest. This action could be triggered by various factors, such as discomfort, shyness, guilt, embarrassment, or simply a desire to escape from an unpleasant or awkward situation. Looking away can also signify a deliberate attempt to avoid making eye contact, which could be perceived as an act of avoiding confrontation or interaction.
The phrase "looked away" goes beyond the physical aspect of shifting one's line of sight; it carries a psychological connotation as well. It suggests a deliberate effort to disconnect from a particular person or situation mentally. By looking away, individuals often attempt to detach themselves emotionally, diverting their attention towards something more appealing or less distressing.
Furthermore, "looked away" may extend to metaphorical contexts, such as when someone chooses deliberately not to acknowledge or confront a particular issue or problem. It can connote a refusal to engage with an unpleasant reality, opting instead to escape or avoid dealing with the matter at hand.
In essence, "looked away" conveys the intentional act of shifting one's gaze or attention away from a person or object, often implying a desire to evade interaction, conceal emotions, or detach oneself from a situation.
The etymology of the phrase "looked away" can be traced back to the combination of the word "look" and the adverb "away".
The word "look" originated from Middle English "loken", which meant "to see, behold, or gaze". It can be further traced to Old English "lōcian" and Proto-Germanic "lokōną", both sharing the same meaning of "to look".
The adverb "away" originated from Old English "onweg" or "of wæge", meaning "from this place or position" or "off" respectively. Over time, these phrases merged to form "away", which can be used to describe moving something or someone out of a place or turning one's gaze in a different direction.