I. ˈvi(ə)r, -iə transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English veren, of Low German or Dutch origin; akin to Middle Dutch vieren to let out, slacken, Middle Low German vīren to slacken; probably akin to Old High German fiaren to give direction to, Old Frisian fīria to be far and probably to Old English feorr far — more at far
: to let or pay out (as a rope or anchor chain)
veer the mainsheet
•
- veer and haul
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle French virer, probably of Celtic origin; akin to Welsh gwyro to shift, deviate, Breton goara to curve, Old Irish fiar slanting, oblique; akin to Old English wīr wire — more at wire
intransitive verb
1. : to change direction : shift from one direction, position, condition, or inclination to another : be variable : turn
the highway veers inland at this point
his veering gait — William Wordsworth
he veered aside when he heard the train moving — J.C.Powys
my attention veered aimlessly around — Anne S. Mehdevi
his mind veered away from the memory — Marcia Davenport
2. of the wind : to shift in a clockwise direction — opposed to back
3. : to wear ship : alter course by turning away from the direction of the wind
transitive verb
: to direct to a different course
pressures veering him from his purpose
: turn , shift ; specifically : wear 8
veer a ship
Synonyms: see swerve
•
- veer and haul
III. noun
( -s )
: an act of veering : a change in course, direction, or inclination
took a sharp veer to the left
a veer toward ultraconservatism
a veer in our policy — Kiplinger Washington Letter