sheer

SHEER, a.

1. Pure; clear; separate from anything foreign; unmingled; as sheer ale. But this application is unusual. We saysheer argument, sheer wit, sheer falsehook, &c.

2. Clear; thin; as sheer muslin.

SHEER, adv. Clean; quite; at once. Obs.

SHEER, v.t. To sheer. [Not in use.]

SHEER, v.i. [See Shear, the sense of which is to separate.]

1. In seamen's language, to decline or deviate from the line of the proper course, as a ship when not steered with steadiness.

2. To slip or move aside.