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maneuvers

- 2 dictionary results

ma⋅neu⋅ver

  [muh-noo-ver] noun, verb, -vered, -ver⋅ing.
Use maneuvers in a Sentence
–noun
1. a planned and regulated movement or evolution of troops, warships, etc.
2. maneuvers, a series of tactical exercises usually carried out in the field by large bodies of troops in simulating the conditions of war.
3. an act or instance of changing the direction of a moving ship, vehicle, etc., as required.
4. an adroit move, skillful proceeding, etc., esp. as characterized by craftiness; ploy: political maneuvers.
–verb (used with object)
5. to change the position of (troops, ships, etc.) by a maneuver.
6. to bring, put, drive, or make by maneuvers: He maneuvered his way into the confidence of the enemy.
7. to manipulate or manage with skill or adroitness: to maneuver a conversation.
8. to steer in various directions as required.
–verb (used without object)
9. to perform a maneuver or maneuvers.
10. to scheme; intrigue.
Also, especially British, manoeuvre.

Origin:
1470–80 for an earlier sense; 1750–60 for current n. sense; < F manoeuvre, MF manuevre handwork, deriv. of OF manuvrer < L manū operāre to do handwork, equiv. to manū (abl. of manus hand) + operāre to work (see operate ); r. earlier maanorre manual labor < MF, as above

Related forms:
ma⋅neu⋅ver⋅a⋅ble, adjective
ma⋅neu⋅ver⋅a⋅bil⋅i⋅ty, noun
ma⋅neu⋅ver⋅er, noun

Synonyms:
4. stratagem, tactic, ruse, artifice; procedure, scheme, plot, plan. 6. scheme, contrive, intrigue. 7. handle, finesse. 10. plot, plan.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To maneuvers
ma·neu·ver   (mə-nōō'vər, -nyōō'-)   
n.  
    1. A strategic or tactical military or naval movement.
    2. A large-scale tactical exercise carried out under simulated conditions of war. Often used in the plural.
    3. A strategic action undertaken to gain an end.
    4. Artful handling of affairs that is often marked by scheming and deceit. See Synonyms at wile.
  2. A controlled change in movement or direction of a moving vehicle or vessel, as in the flight path of an aircraft.
  3. A movement or procedure involving skill and dexterity.
    1. A strategic action undertaken to gain an end.
    2. Artful handling of affairs that is often marked by scheming and deceit. See Synonyms at wile.
v.   ma·neu·vered, ma·neu·ver·ing, ma·neu·vers

v.   intr.
  1. To carry out a military or naval maneuver.
  2. To make a controlled series of changes in movement or direction toward an objective: maneuvered to get closer to the stage.
  3. To shift ground; change tactics: The opposition had no room in which to maneuver.
  4. To use stratagems in gaining an end.
v.   tr.
  1. To alter the tactical placement of (troops or warships).
  2. To direct through a series of movements or changes in course: maneuvered the car through traffic.
  3. To manipulate into a desired position or toward a predetermined goal: maneuvered him into signing the contract. See Synonyms at manipulate.

[French manɶuvre, from Old French maneuvre, manual work, from Medieval Latin manuopera, from Latin manū operārī, to work by hand : manū, ablative of manus, hand; see man-2 in Indo-European roots + operārī, to work; see op- in Indo-European roots.]
ma·neu'ver·a·bil'i·ty n., ma·neu'ver·a·ble adj., ma·neu'ver·er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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