/ kwɪə(r); NAmE kwɪr/ adjective , noun , verb
■ adjective ( queer·er , queer·est )
1.
( old-fashioned ) strange or unusual
SYN odd :
His face was a queer pink colour.
2.
( taboo , slang ) an offensive way of describing a homosexual , especially a man, which is, however, also used by some homosexuals about themselves
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IDIOMS
see fish noun
■ noun
( taboo , slang ) an offensive word for a homosexual , especially a man, which is, however, also used by some homosexuals about themselves
■ verb
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IDIOMS
- queer sb's pitch | queer the pitch (for sb)
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WORD ORIGIN
early 16th cent.: considered to be from German quer oblique, perverse, but the origin is doubtful.