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Usenet Posted 20 years ago
Usage
Is there a word meaning "turn away from something"?
There's an English word meaning "to turn directly toward something"; that word is "face."
Is there a word meaning the opposite "to turn directly away from something"? I'm seeking a word that would mean this literally, not figuratively (as "renounce" or "apostatize" or similar words sort of do).
Failing that, does anyone know a word for it in some other language? I'm not too proud to borrow. :-)
Is there a word meaning the opposite "to turn directly away from something"? I'm seeking a word that would mean this literally, not figuratively (as "renounce" or "apostatize" or similar words sort of do).
Failing that, does anyone know a word for it in some other language? I'm not too proud to borrow. :-)
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37 Answers
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[nq:1]There's an English word meaning "to turn directly toward something"; that word is "face." Is there a word meaning the ... seeking a word that would mean this literally, not figuratively (as "renounce" or "apostatize" or similar words sort of do).[/nq]
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=Deturn
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=Deturn
00
[nq:1]There's an English word meaning "to turn directly toward something"; that word is "face." Is there a word meaning the ... Failing that, does anyone know a word for it in some other language? I'm not too proud to borrow. :-)[/nq]
avert
avert
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[nq:2]There's an English word meaning "to turn directly toward something"; ... some other language? I'm not too proud to borrow. :-)[/nq]
[nq:1]avert[/nq]
I hadn't heard that used intransitively. Poking around through OneLook dictionary search, I see an intransitive version shown in the Webster
1913 dictionary as archaic, and in the 1838 dictionary uncommented.
john
[nq:1]avert[/nq]
I hadn't heard that used intransitively. Poking around through OneLook dictionary search, I see an intransitive version shown in the Webster
1913 dictionary as archaic, and in the 1838 dictionary uncommented.
john
00
[nq:1]There's an English word meaning "to turn directly toward something"; that word is "face."[/nq]
No it isn't. You "turn to face something" in the same way as you "turn directly toward something". Confront is more the word you want.
[nq:1]Is there a word meaning the opposite "to turn directly away from something"?[/nq]
Avert, avoid, retreat.
No it isn't. You "turn to face something" in the same way as you "turn directly toward something". Confront is more the word you want.
[nq:1]Is there a word meaning the opposite "to turn directly away from something"?[/nq]
Avert, avoid, retreat.
00
[nq:2]There's an English word meaning "to turn directly toward something"; that word is "face."[/nq]
[nq:1]No it isn't.[/nq]
Sure, it is.
[nq:1]You "turn to face something" in the same way as you "turn directly toward something".[/nq]
He faced his enemies.
Class, face the front.
Face the bench and look slightly to your right.
Best Donna Richoux
[nq:1]No it isn't.[/nq]
Sure, it is.
[nq:1]You "turn to face something" in the same way as you "turn directly toward something".[/nq]
He faced his enemies.
Class, face the front.
Face the bench and look slightly to your right.
Best Donna Richoux
00
[nq:2]There's an English word meaning "to turn directly toward something"; ... some other language? I'm not too proud to borrow. :-)[/nq]
[nq:1]avert[/nq]
Avert isn't quite it.
"He averted the sea." That's not the opposite of "He faced the sea".
We need a single word for "turned his back on" and I don't think there is one.
Stephen
Lennox Head, Australia
[nq:1]avert[/nq]
Avert isn't quite it.
"He averted the sea." That's not the opposite of "He faced the sea".
We need a single word for "turned his back on" and I don't think there is one.
Stephen
Lennox Head, Australia
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You're right of course. But a single word for the opposite is elusive.
Even "turn one's back on" doesn't work in all your examples, though it should work in most instances.
Stephen
Lennox Head, Australia
Even "turn one's back on" doesn't work in all your examples, though it should work in most instances.
Stephen
Lennox Head, Australia
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[nq:2]There's an English word meaning "to turn directly toward something"; ... (as "renounce" or "apostatize" or similar words sort of do).[/nq]
[nq:1][/nq]
That's not a word in ordinary use, and shouldn't be used in the context cited.
Besides, it doesn't mean the opposite of "face".
You can't say say "He deturned the sea" and "He deturned from the sea" is not easily understood in
[nq:1][/nq]
That's not a word in ordinary use, and shouldn't be used in the context cited.
Besides, it doesn't mean the opposite of "face".
You can't say say "He deturned the sea" and "He deturned from the sea" is not easily understood in
00
[nq:2]avert[/nq]
[nq:1]Avert isn't quite it. "He averted the sea." That's not the opposite of "He faced the sea". We need a single word for "turned his back on" and I don't think there is one.[/nq]
Mooned.
Skitt
Ever ready to retract the aforesaid and aver the opposite.
[nq:1]Avert isn't quite it. "He averted the sea." That's not the opposite of "He faced the sea". We need a single word for "turned his back on" and I don't think there is one.[/nq]
Mooned.
Skitt
Ever ready to retract the aforesaid and aver the opposite.
00
[nq:2]Sure, it is. He faced his enemies. Class, face the front. Face the bench and look slightly to your right.[/nq]
[nq:1]You're right of course. But a single word for the opposite is elusive. Even "turn one's back on" doesn't work in all your examples, though it should work in most instances. Stephen Lennox Head, Australia[/nq]
whats wrong with cold-shouldered if moon isnt enough (1st ch
[nq:1]You're right of course. But a single word for the opposite is elusive. Even "turn one's back on" doesn't work in all your examples, though it should work in most instances. Stephen Lennox Head, Australia[/nq]
whats wrong with cold-shouldered if moon isnt enough (1st ch
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