I. ˈkwi(ə)r, -iə, dial -wa(a)](ə)r, -we], ]ə, -wär, -wȧ(r\ adjective
( -er/-est )
Etymology: origin unknown
1.
a. : differing in some odd way from what is usual or normal : strange , curious , peculiar , unexpected
deep fireplaces and queer andirons — Austin Dobson
spoke in a queer , kindly, foreign voice — Alan Tomkins
queer bird rustlings and cries in the trees lull me to sleep — S.P.B.Mais
b.
(1) : eccentric , unconventional
a likable but somewhat queer folk — R.H.Shryock
individuals who do not follow this routine are regarded as queer — Ralph Linton
looked like a gentleman, though he was as queer a duck as you could meet — Mary McCarthy
regarded him as a foreigner, and a queer fish — Nevil Shute
(2) : mildly insane : touched
c. : obsessed, hipped
seems to be queer for these early-morning conferences — Budd Schulberg
queer on the subject of first editions
queer about the circus
d. slang : sexually deviate : homosexual
2.
a. slang : worthless , spurious , counterfeit
queer money
b. : questionable , suspicious
a queer transaction
queer goings-on
3. : not quite well : faint , giddy , queasy
gave her a queer sensation to think of standing in that room again — J.C.Powys
4. Scotland : droll , amusing , comical
told his queerest stories — Robert Burns
Synonyms: see strange
II. adverb
( -er/-est )
: queerly
III. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
1. : to spoil the effect or success of : interfere with
bad weather queered our plans
: jeopardize , harm , disrupt
the old man may have queered his own promotion — J.A.Michener
the spring lock had snapped, queering his exit — Time
blurring of focus and muddled misdirection of attention: consequences of queering one discipline with the habits of another — F.R.Leavis
2. : to put or get into an embarrassing or disadvantageous situation : put in a bad light
queered himself with the authorities by his lack of cooperation
the giving of such perquisites, the exercise of such influence, queers the profession — Virginia Woolf
•
- queer one's pitch
IV. noun
( -s )
1. slang : one that is queer ; especially : a usually male homosexual
2. slang : counterfeit money — usually used with the
jailed for passing the queer