I. sheer 1 /ʃɪə $ ʃɪr/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Date: 1500-1600 ; Origin: Probably from Old Norse skærr 'pure' ]
1 . the sheer weight/size etc used to emphasize that something is very heavy, large etc
the sheer weight/size etc of
The sheer size of the country makes communications difficult.
2 . sheer luck/happiness/stupidity etc luck, happiness etc with no other feeling or quality mixed with it SYN pure :
I’ll never forget the look of sheer joy on her face.
sheer hypocrisy
3 . a sheer drop, cliff, slope etc is very steep and almost vertical
4 . sheer ↑ nylon , silk etc is very thin and fine, so that it is almost transparent:
sheer stockings
II. sheer 2 BrE AmE adverb
straight up or down in an almost vertical line SYN steeply :
cliffs which rose sheer from the sea
III. sheer 3 BrE AmE verb [intransitive always + adverb/preposition]
to change direction suddenly, especially in order to avoid something SYN swerve
sheer off/away
The boat sheered away and headed out to sea.