churn
Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary
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[edit] English
[edit] Etymology
From Old English ċyrin. Cognate with West Frisian tsjerne and Dutch karnen.
[edit] Pronunciation
- (UK) enPR: chû(r)n, IPA: /tʃɜː(r)n/, SAMPA: /tS3:(r)n/
- (US) IPA: /tʃɚn/, SAMPA: /tS@`n/
- Audio (US)help, file
- Rhymes: -ɜː(r)n
[edit] Verb
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Infinitive |
Third person singular |
Simple past |
Past participle |
Present participle |
to churn (third-person singular simple present churns, present participle churning, simple past and past participle churned)
- (transitive) To agitate rapidly and repetitively, or to stir with a rowing or rocking motion; generally applies to liquids, notably cream.
- Now the cream is churned to make butter.
- (transitive, figuratively) To produce excessive and sometimes undesirable or unproductive activity or motion.
- (intransitive) To move rapidly and repetitively with a rocking motion; to tumble, mix or shake.
- I was so nervous my stomach was churning.
[edit] Derived terms
[edit] Translations
agitate rapidly
figuratively: produce excessive motion
[edit] Noun
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Singular |
Plural |
churn (plural churns)
- A vessel used for churning.
- a butter churn
- (telecommunications) The time when a consumer switches his/her service provider.
- (telecommunications) The mass of people who are ready to switch carriers, expressed by the formula Customer Quits/Customer base.
[edit] Translations
vessel for churning
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people ready to switch carrier
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