sheerly


sheer 1

S0325100 (shîr)intr. & tr.v. sheered, sheer·ing, sheers To swerve or cause to swerve from a course.n.1. A swerving or deviating course.2. a. The upward curve or amount of upward curve of the longitudinal lines of a ship's hull as viewed from the side.b. The position in which a ship at anchor is maintained in order to keep it clear of the anchor.
[Probably partly from Low German scheren, to move to and fro (said of boats), and partly from Dutch scheren, to withdraw; see sker- in Indo-European roots.]

sheer 2

S0325100 (shîr)adj. sheer·er, sheer·est 1. Thin, fine, and translucent: sheer curtains; sheer chiffon. See Synonyms at airy.2. a. Completely such, without qualification or exception: sheer stupidity; sheer happiness.b. Free from admixture or adulterants; unmixed: sheer alcohol.c. Considered or operating apart from anything else: got the job through sheer persistence.3. Almost perpendicular; steep: sheer rock cliffs. See Synonyms at steep1.adv.1. Almost perpendicularly.2. Completely; altogether.n. One that is sheer, such as a curtain.
[Obsolete shere, thin, clear, partly from Middle English shir, bright, clear (from Old English scīr) and partly from Middle English skir, bright, clean (from Old Norse skærr).]
sheer′ly adv.sheer′ness n.