[sheer] 
| 1. | to deviate from a course, as a ship; swerve. |
| 2. | to cause to sheer. |
| 3. | Shipbuilding. to give sheer to (a hull). |
| 4. | a deviation or divergence, as of a ship from its course; swerve. |
| 5. | Shipbuilding. the fore-and-aft upward curve of the hull of a vessel at the main deck or bulwarks. |
| 6. | Nautical. the position in which a ship at anchor is placed to keep it clear of the anchor. |
| sheer 1 (shîr) intr. & tr.v. sheered, sheer·ing, sheers To swerve or cause to swerve from a course. n.
[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.] |
