a. and sb. [f. the verbal phr. turn down (TURN v. 71).]
A. adj. 1. That turns down or may be turned down; esp. said of a collar worn with the upper part turned down over the neck-band; turn-down bed, a folding bed.
1840. Marryat, Poor Jack, xlvi. He wore … a turn-down collar.
a. 1860. Alb. Smith, Lond. Med. Student (1861), 86. The faithful Mary … has long since retired to rest in the turn-down bedstead of the back kitchen.
1884. Marshall’s Tennis Cuts, 104. A pretty shape which … admits of a tie being passed under the turn-down corners.
2. Electr. spec. designating an incandescent lamp of which one small filament only is used when little light is wanted.
1911. in Webster.
B. sb. 1. The turned-down part of anything; also, an article of dress that is worn turned down; spec. a turn-down collar (see A. 1).
1849. Alb. Smith, Pottleton Leg., iv. Her other hand … hidden beneath the turn-down of the thin worn sheet.
1865. Lever, Luttrell, xxxii. 232. I showed him the turn-down, only the turn-down, of your note.
1896. Punch, 8 Aug., 64/1. When he’s out of Jackets and Turn-downs, and gets into Tails and Stick-ups!
1903. Blackw. Mag., March, 372/1. Heather stockings with loud-patterned ‘turn-downs.’
2. The action of turning down (see TURN v. 71 d).
1902. Speaker, 23 Aug., 550/2. I look back on that period of sour welcome and curt turn-down with feelings I cannot express.
