intransitive verb

Etymology: var. of shear, prob. infl. by Du or LowG scheren, to cut, deviate, warp away

transitive verb

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

Etymology: ME schere, prob. var. of scere, free, exempt < ON skærr, bright, clear, akin to Ger schier: for IE base see shine

adverb

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

noun