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sheer

intransitive verb

to turn aside sharply from a course; swerve

transitive verb

to cause to sheer

noun

  1. a sudden change of course; abrupt turn; swerve
  2. the oblique heading or position of a ship riding at a single bow anchor
  3. the upward curve of a ship's deck toward the bow and stern, as seen from the side

adjective

  1. very thin; transparent; diaphanous: said of textiles
  2. not mixed or mingled with anything else; pure: sheer ice
  3. absolute; downright; unqualified; utter: sheer persistence
  4. perpendicular or extremely steep, as the face of a cliff

adverb

  1. completely; utterly; outright
  2. perpendicularly or very steeply

noun

thin, fine material, or a curtain, etc. made of it

Related Forms:

See sheer in American Heritage Dictionary 4

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