I. mə-ˈnü-vər, -ˈnyü- noun
Etymology: French manœuvre, from Old French maneuvre work done by hand, from Medieval Latin manuopera, from manu operare to perform manual labor — more at manure
Date: 1758
1.
a. : a military or naval movement
b. : an armed forces training exercise ; especially : an extended and large-scale training exercise involving military and naval units separately or in combination — often used in plural
2. : a procedure or method of working usually involving expert physical movement
3.
a. : evasive movement or shift of tactics
b. : an intended and controlled variation from a straight and level flight path in the operation of an airplane
4.
a. : an action taken to gain a tactical end
b. : an adroit and clever management of affairs often using trickery and deception
Synonyms: see trick
II. verb
( ma·neu·vered ; ma·neu·ver·ing -ˈnü-və-riŋ, -ˈnyü-; -ˈn(y)üv-riŋ)
Date: 1777
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to perform a movement in military or naval tactics in order to secure an advantage
b. : to make a series of changes in direction and position for a specific purpose
2. : to use stratagems : scheme
transitive verb
1. : to cause to execute tactical movements
2. : to manage into or out of a position or condition : manipulate
3.
a. : to guide with adroitness and design
b. : to bring about or secure as a result of skillful management
• ma·neu·ver·abil·i·ty -ˌnü-və-rə-ˈbi-lə-tē, -ˌnyü-; -ˌn(y)üv-rə- noun
• ma·neu·ver·able -ˈnü-və-rə-bəl, -ˈnyü-; -ˈn(y)üv-rə- adjective
• ma·neu·ver·er -ˈnü-vər-ər, -ˈnyü- noun