This study investigates, through diachronic semantic analysis, the approximately 1400-year meaning evolution of the Turkish word törü / töre from the earliest attested period of the language (Orkhon Inscriptions, 8th c.) to contemporary Turkish criminal law (TCK Article 82/k, 2005). The central argument holds that the transformation of the term from the founding normative principle of the state (KT D2, 732) to the cosmic justice concept of the Kutadgu Bilig (1069-70) and finally to the legal label for an aggravated form of intentional homicide (TCK 82/k, 2005) constitutes a semantic inversion construct produced by the cumulative operation of three mechanisms: semantic narrowing, semantic pejoration, and contextual register shift. A full-text scan of the Orkhon Inscriptions (Tekin, 2003) identifies 33 occurrences and five formula types; cosmological apex is traced through the Dîvânu Lugâti’t-Türk and Kutadgu Bilig; a five-link terminological chain connects Göktürk törü to Ottoman örf; and normative rupture is mapped across the Tanzimat-Republican codification process (1858-1926). The 2013 ruling of the Court of Cassation General Criminal Board (E.2013/1-355) confirms that the inversion is complete at the level of criminal-law discourse, while everyday usage retains the older positive sense. Findings carry implications for the history of Turkish linguistics, debates on the principle of legality, and compliance with international human rights norms (CEDAW 2005, A/60/38, para.363).
Semantic inversion, törü / töre, diachronic semantics, Orkhon Inscriptions, Kutadgu Bilig.