sheer2
Syllabification: (sheer)
Pronunciation: /SHi(ə)r/
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Definition of sheer
verb
noun
Origin:
early 17th century: perhaps from Middle Low German scheren 'to shear'
The two verbs sheer and shear have a similar origin but do not have identical meanings. Sheer, the less common verb, means ‘swerve or change course quickly’: the boat sheers off the bank. Shear, on the other hand, usually means ‘cut the wool off (a sheep)’ and can also mean ‘break off (usually as a result of structural strain)’: the pins broke and the wing part sheared off.