manoeuvre

Pronunciation: /məˈnuːvə/

(US maneuver)

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Definition of manoeuvre

noun

1a movement or series of moves requiring skill and care: snowboarders performed daring manoeuvres on precipitous slopes
a carefully planned or cunning scheme or action:shady financial manoeuvres
[mass noun] the fact or process of taking carefully planned or cunning action:the economic policy provided no room for manoeuvre

2 (manoeuvres) a large-scale military exercise of troops, warships, and other forces:the Russian vessel was on manoeuvres

verb (manoeuvres, manoeuvring, manoeuvred)

1move skilfully or carefully: [no object]:the lorry was unable to manoeuvre comfortably in the narrow street [with object and adverbial of direction]:she tried to manoeuvre her trolley round people

2 [with object and adverbial] carefully guide or manipulate (someone or something) in order to achieve an end:they were manoeuvring him into betraying his friend
[no object] manipulate a situation to achieve an end: [with infinitive]:Rann was manoeuvring to elope with the girl

Derivatives

manoeuvrer

Origin:

mid 18th century (as a noun in the sense 'tactical movement'): from French manœuvre (noun), manœuvrer (verb), from medieval Latin manuoperare from Latin manus 'hand' + operari 'to work'

Spelling help

Spell manoeuvre with -oeu- in the middle; the ending is -re (the spelling maneuver is American).

manoeuvre in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of manoeuvre in the US English dictionary

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Other

manoeuvre

noun

verb (manoeuvres, manoeuvring, manoeuvred)

Derivatives

manoeuvrer

Origin:

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manoeuvre in other Oxford dictionaries

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