The word "sheer" has two meanings, but as a verb it means to swerve or to cause something to swerve from a particular course. The word is believed to be derived from the Low German word "scheren" which meant a to and fro movement. It could also have come from the Dutch word "scheren" which meant to withdraw. As a verb the word retains just two meanings either to cause something to sheer or to turn sharply or abruptly changes directions. Synonyms of sheer in this sense include curve, veer, cut, swerve, trend, slew, slue etc.
"The magnetic storm disrupted the sensors and the space shuttle sheered out of course for over three hours" or "the driver had to sheer the vehicle just to avoid a collision" are examples of the word used in sentence structure.
"The magnetic storm disrupted the sensors and the space shuttle sheered out of course for over three hours" or "the driver had to sheer the vehicle just to avoid a collision" are examples of the word used in sentence structure.
