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steer

 - 8 dictionary results

steer

1  [steer] ,
Use steer in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to guide the course of (something in motion) by a rudder, helm, wheel, etc.: to steer a bicycle.
2. to follow or pursue (a particular course).
3. to direct the course of; guide: I can steer you to the best restaurant in town.
–verb (used without object)
4. to direct the course of a vessel, vehicle, airplane, or the like, by the use of a rudder or other means.
5. to pursue a course of action.
6. (of a vessel, vehicle, airplane, etc.) to be steered or guided in a particular direction or manner.
–noun
7. Informal. a suggestion about a course of action; tip: He got a good steer about finding the right job.
—Idiom
8. steer clear of, to stay away from purposely; avoid: She steered clear of any deep emotional involvements.
Origin:
bef. 900; ME steren, OE stēoran, akin to stēor steering, guidance; c. G steuern, ON stȳra, Goth stiurjan

Related forms:
steer⋅a⋅ble, adjective
steer⋅a⋅bil⋅i⋅ty, noun

steer

2  [steer] ,
–noun, plural steers, (especially collectively) steer.
a male bovine that is castrated before sexual maturity, esp. one raised for beef.
Origin:
bef. 900; ME; OE stēor; c. D, G Stier, ON stjōrr, Goth stiur

steer

3  [steer] ,
–verb (used with object), verb (used without object), noun British Dialect.
stir 1 .
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To steer
steer 1   (stîr)   
v.   steered, steer·ing, steers

v.   tr.

  1. To guide by means of a device such as a rudder, paddle, or wheel.

    1. To direct the course of. See Synonyms at conduct.

    2. To maneuver (a person) into a place or course of action. See Synonyms at guide.

v.   intr.

  1. To guide a vessel or vehicle.

  2. To follow or move in a set course.

  3. To admit of being steered or guided: a craft that steers easily.

n.  A piece of advice.

[Middle English steren, from Old English stēran; see stā- in Indo-European roots.]
steer'a·ble adj., steer'er n.
steer 2   (stîr)   
n.  A young ox, especially one castrated before sexual maturity and raised for beef.

[Middle English, from Old English stēor; see stā- in Indo-European roots.]
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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Word Origin & History

steer  (v.)
"guide the course of a vehicle," O.E. steran (Mercian), stieran (W.Saxon), from P.Gmc. *steurijanan (cf. O.N. styra, O.Fris. stiora, Du. sturen, O.H.G. stiuren, Ger. steuern "to steer," Goth. stiurjan "to establish, assert"), related to *steuro "rudder" (cf. O.E. steor "helm, rudder," Ger. Steuer and first element in starboard), from PIE *steu-ro- (cf. Gk. stauros "stake, pole"), from base *sta- "to stand" (see stet). The notion is of a stiff, upright pillar or post used in steering. To steer clear of in the fig. sense of "to avoid completely" is recorded from 1723. Steerage (1399) was the steering apparatus of a ship before the introduction of the deck wheel; meaning "section of a ship with the cheapest accommodations" first recorded 1804. Steering committee in the U.S. political sense is recorded from 1887.

steer  (n.)
"young ox," O.E. steor "bullock," from P.Gmc. *steuraz (cf. O.S. stior, O.N. stjorr, Swed. tjur, Dan. tyr, M.Du., Du., Ger. stier, Goth. stiur "bull"), perhaps from PIE *steu-ro-, a base denoting "strength, sturdiness" (see taurus).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Idioms & Phrases

steer

In addition to the idiom beginning with steer, also see bum steer.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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