Sheerly

sheer ¹  (shîr)

intr. & tr.v. sheered, sheer·ing, sheers

To swerve or cause to swerve from a course.

n.

1. A swerving or deviating course.

2. Nautical

a. The upward curve or amount of upward curve of the longitudinal lines of a ship's hull as viewed from the side.

b. The position in which a ship at anchor is maintained in order to keep it clear of the anchor.

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[Probably partly from Low German scheren, to move to and fro (said of boats), and partly from Dutch scheren, to withdraw; see sker-¹ in Indo-European roots.]

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sheer ²  (shîr)

adj. sheer·er, sheer·est

1. Thin, fine, and transparent: sheer curtains; sheer chiffon. See Synonyms at airy.

2.

a. Completely such, without qualification or exception: sheer stupidity; sheer happiness.

b. Free from admixture or adulterants; unmixed: sheer alcohol. See Synonyms at pure.

c. Considered or operating apart from anything else: got the job through sheer persistence.

3. Almost perpendicular; steep: sheer rock cliffs. See Synonyms at steep¹.

adv.

1. Almost perpendicularly.

2. Completely; altogether.

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[Obsolete shere, thin, clear, partly from Middle English shir, bright, clear (from Old English scr) and partly from Middle English skir, bright, clean (from Old Norse skærr).]

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sheerly adv.

sheerness n.