/ ʃɪə(r); NAmE ʃɪr/ adjective , adverb , verb
■ adjective
1.
[ only before noun ] used to emphasize the size, degree or amount of sth :
The area is under threat from the sheer number of tourists using it.
We were impressed by the sheer size of the cathedral.
2.
[ only before noun ] complete and not mixed with anything else
SYN utter :
The concert was sheer delight.
I only agreed out of sheer desperation.
3.
very steep :
sheer cliffs / slopes
Outside there was a sheer drop down to the sea below.
4.
( of cloth, etc. ) thin, light and almost transparent :
sheer nylon
■ adverb
straight up or down :
The cliffs rise sheer from the beach.
The ground dropped sheer away at our feet.
■ verb
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PHRASAL VERBS
- sheer away / off (from sth)
••
WORD ORIGIN
adjective and adverb 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 cent. the word was used to describe clear, pure water, and also in sense 4.
verb early 17th cent.: perhaps from Middle Low German scheren to shear.