turn-of-the-century
UK: ˌtɜːn əv ðə ˈsɛnʧʊri | US: ˌtɜːrn əv ðə ˈsɛnʧəri
adj. relating to the transition from one century to another (typically the 19th to the 20th century)
n. the period marking the end of one century and the beginning of the next
This hyphenated phrase combines four morphemes to describe a temporal boundary. "Turn" (Old English tyrnan, meaning "to rotate") metaphorically frames time as a cyclical shift. "Century" (Latin centuria, from centum "hundred") anchors the scale. The preposition "of" and article "the" grammatically bind the concept. First attested in the late 19th century, it specifically gained prominence when referencing the 1890s–1900s cultural transition.
The exhibition showcases turn-of-the-century fashion innovations.
Many technological breakthroughs occurred at the turn-of-the-century.
This neighborhood retains its turn-of-the-century architectural charm.
Writers of the turn-of-the-century often explored modernist themes.
The museum's collection focuses on turn-of-the-century industrial design.