The phrase "turns pages" is typically pronounced /tɜːnz ˈpeɪdʒɪz/. The initial sound, /t/, is unvoiced and produced by interrupting airflow with the tongue against the alveolar ridge. The vowels in "turns" and "pages" are both pronounced as "er" sounds, represented by the symbol /ɜː/. The "s" sound is produced by a vibration of the vocal cords, indicated by the symbol /z/. In writing the phrase, the conventional spelling reflects the sounds of the language, with "turns" and "pages" being spelled as they are pronounced.
"Turns pages" refers to the action of sequentially flipping or moving through the pages of a book, magazine, sheet music, or any physical reading material. It is an act often performed manually using one's hands or fingers to change the page being viewed.
When a person turns pages, they typically hold the reading material in one hand while using the other hand to smoothly glide a page to the side, revealing the next page in line. This action is repeated until the desired page is reached or the reading material is finished.
The term "turns pages" can also extend to digital reading devices, such as e-readers or tablet computers, where users virtually navigate through pages by swiping or tapping the screen. In this context, the phrase denotes the transition between electronic pages of digital content.
The action of turning pages serves the purpose of accessing new information or continuing with the flow of text. It allows readers to pace their reading and easily move back and forth within the material, enabling navigation, bookmarking, and familiarization with the content. Turning pages is an essential physical or virtual interaction in the process of reading, enabling readers to engage with the text and access the knowledge or entertainment contained within the pages of the reading material.
The phrase "turns pages" is not derived from a specific word or has a defined etymology, as it is formed by combining two separate words with their own origins:
1. "Turns" - This word comes from the Old English word "turnian", which means "to revolve, rotate, roll, or twist". It has roots in the Proto-Germanic word "turnōną". The etymology of "turns" is primarily related to movements and rotations.
2. "Pages" - This word originates from the Latin word "pagina", which referred to a "sheet" or "leaf of paper". It later developed into "pagella" for smaller pages and eventually evolved to "page" in English. The concept of "pages" relates to the individual sheets or leaves in a book or document.