sheer
sheer (s̸hir)
intransitive verb
Etymology: var. of shear, prob. infl. by Du or LowG scheren, to cut, deviate, warp away
transitive verb
noun
- a sudden change of course; abrupt turn; swerve
- the oblique heading or position of a ship riding at a single bow anchor
- the upward curve of a ship's deck toward the bow and stern, as seen from the side
sheer (s̸hir)
adjective
- very thin; transparent; diaphanous: said of textiles
- not mixed or mingled with anything else; pure sheer ice
- absolute; downright; unqualified; utter sheer persistence
- perpendicular or extremely steep, as the face of a cliff
Etymology: ME schere, prob. var. of scere, free, exempt < ON skærr, bright, clear, akin to Ger schier: for IE base see shine
adverb
- completely; utterly; outright
- perpendicularly or very steeply
noun
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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