I. ˈstir noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English stēor young ox; akin to Old High German stior young ox
Date: before 12th century
1. : a male bovine animal and especially a domestic ox ( Bos taurus ) castrated before sexual maturity — compare stag 3
2. : an ox less than four years old
II. verb
Etymology: Middle English steren, from Old English stīeran; akin to Old English stēor- steering oar, Greek stauros stake, cross, stylos pillar, Sanskrit sthavira, sthūra stout, thick
Date: 12th century
transitive verb
1. : to control the course of : direct ; especially : to guide by mechanical means (as a rudder)
2. : to set and hold to (a course)
intransitive verb
1. : to direct the course (as of a ship or automobile)
2. : to pursue a course of action
3. : to be subject to guidance or direction
an automobile that steer s well
Synonyms: see guide
• steer·able ˈstir-ə-bəl adjective
• steer·er noun
•
- steer clear
III. noun
Date: 1894
: a hint as to procedure : tip
IV.
dialect British variant of stir