| 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. [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.] |
| 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. [Obsolete shere, thin, clear, partly from Middle English shir, bright, clear (from Old English sc  r) and partly from Middle English skir, bright, clean (from Old Norse skærr).]sheer  ly adv.sheer ness n. |
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