veer

To veer is to turn or swerve sharply or to go off course.

(verb)

When you are going straight and you suddenly turn left, this is an example of a situation where you veer left.

See veer in Webster's New World College Dictionary

intransitive verb

to change direction; shift; turn or swing around
to change sides; shift, as from one opinion or attitude to another
Meteorol. to shift clockwise (in the Northern Hemisphere): said of the changing direction of a wind
Naut.
1. to change the direction or course of a ship by swinging its stern to the wind; wear a ship
2. to be so turned: said of a ship

Origin: altered (by assoc. with veer) < Fr virer, to turn around, prob. < VL *virare, contr. < L vibrare: see vibrate

transitive verb

to turn or swing; change the course of
Naut. to change the direction or course of (a ship) by swinging its stern to the wind; wear

noun

a change of direction

Related Forms:

transitive verb, intransitive verb

Naut. to let out (a line, chain, anchor, etc.): often with out

Origin: ME veren < MDu vieren, to let out

See veer in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb veered, veer·ing, veers

verb, intransitive

To turn aside from a course, direction, or purpose; swerve: “a sequence of adventures that veered between tragedy and bleak farce” (Anthony Haden-Guest). See Synonyms at swerve.
To shift clockwise in direction, as from north to northeast. Used of the wind.
Nautical To change the course of a ship by turning the stern to the wind while advancing to windward; wear ship.

verb, transitive