The word "turn over" has two syllables and is pronounced /tɜːn/ /ˈəʊvə/. The first syllable "turn" is pronounced with a long "u" sound, which is represented by the IPA symbol /ɜː/. The second syllable "over" is pronounced with a diphthong, which is represented by the IPA symbol /ˈəʊ/. The spelling of this word follows the typical English spelling rules, with the letter "u" representing the long /ɜː/ sound and the combination of letters "o" and "e" representing the diphthong /əʊ/.
Turn over is a phrasal verb with multiple meanings and can be used in various contexts. It refers to the act of flipping or rotating an object horizontally or vertically, changing its orientation. For instance, one might turn over a page in a book, implying the action of moving from one page to the next. It can also indicate the act of flipping or rotating an object to view or access its other side or surface.
In a more general sense, turn over can mean to hand something over to someone else or relinquish possession or control of something. For example, when someone leaves a job, they may turn over their responsibilities or duties to a colleague or successor. Similarly, in a business context, turn over can refer to the total value of goods or services sold or produced within a specific period, typically expressed as an annual figure.
Furthermore, turn over can be used to describe the act of deliberating or reflecting on a matter. When someone turns something over in their mind, they carefully consider, contemplate, or analyze the subject at hand. This sense of the phrase suggests a mental process of reviewing or examining an idea or situation thoroughly.
In summary, turn over is a versatile phrasal verb that can refer to physically flipping an object, handing something over, the value of business transactions, or the mental process of contemplating and analyzing something.
The word "turn over" has a straightforward etymology. It is derived from the combination of the verbs "turn" and "over".
The verb "turn" can be traced back to the Old English word "tyrnan", which means "to rotate or revolve". It evolved from the Proto-Germanic word "turnaną". The sense of "turning one's body or head" came later in Middle English.
The word "over" originated from the Old English word "ofer", which means "across or beyond". It is related to the Proto-Germanic word "uberi" and the Proto-Indo-European root "uper".
When these two verbs are combined, "turn over" means to rotate or revolve something so that the previously hidden or underside becomes visible or accessible. The term is commonly used to describe the act of flipping or reversing an object, page, or position.