The word "turnings" is a plural noun that describes the act of changing direction or orientation. It is spelled as /ˈtɜːnɪŋz/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable "tɜː" is pronounced like "ter" with a long "e" sound. The second syllable "nɪŋz" rhymes with "wings" and ends with a voiced "z" sound. In English language, many words have peculiar spellings driven by their origins, and "turnings" is one such example where a common word is spelled with an unusual combination of phonemes.
Turnings, as a noun, refers to the act of making a change in direction, often in a curved or rotational movement. It involves moving or rotating something from one position or direction to another. This term can be used to describe both physical and metaphorical changes.
In a physical context, turnings commonly refer to the action of changing direction while walking, driving, or navigating through a path. It is associated with rotating or maneuvering a vehicle, such as making a turn at an intersection or rounding a bend in a road. Additionally, in woodworking or sculpture, turnings represent the process of transforming a piece of wood or other material on a lathe to create curved, rounded, or spiral shapes.
Metaphorically, turnings refer to pivotal moments or transitions in a person's life or in the course of history. These can imply critical decisions, changes in circumstances, or transformational stages. For instance, a person might experience turnings such as changing career paths, embracing a new belief system, or undergoing personal growth. Society can also undergo significant turnings with the advent of new technologies, political shifts, or cultural revolutions.
Overall, turnings represent changes in direction or orientation, be they physical, metaphorical, or symbolic, which imply a shift from one point, position, or state to another.
The word "turnings" is the plural form of the noun "turning". The etymology of the word "turning" can be traced back to the Old English word "tƿyrnung" or "tƿyrnan" which means "to go round, rotate, twist or turn". Later, in Middle English, the word evolved to "turninge" and eventually became "turning" in Modern English. The term "turnings" refers to multiple instances of turning or twisting.