sheer1

 
Pronunciation: /ʃɪə/

adjective

  • 1 [attributive] nothing other than; unmitigated (used for emphasis): she giggled with sheer delight it’s been sheer hard work
  • 2(especially of a cliff or wall) perpendicular or nearly so: the sheer ice walls
  • 3(of a fabric) very thin; diaphanous: sheer white silk chiffon

adverb

  • 1perpendicularly: the ridge fell sheer, in steep crags
  • 2 archaic completely; right: she went sheer forward when the door was open

noun

  • a very fine or diaphanous fabric or article: I put up the new curtains and sheers she ditched her glossy sheers while pregnant

Derivatives

sheerly

adverb

sheerness

noun

Origin:

Middle English (in the sense 'exempt, cleared'): probably an alteration of dialect shire 'pure, clear', from the Germanic base of the verb shine. In the mid 16th century the word was used to describe clear, pure water, and also in sheer1 (sense 3 of the adjective)