Sheer

English Meaning

Bright; clear; pure; unmixed.

1. To swerve or cause to swerve from a course.
2. A swerving or deviating course.
3. Nautical The upward curve or amount of upward curve of the longitudinal lines of a ship's hull as viewed from the side.
4. Nautical The position in which a ship at anchor is maintained in order to keep it clear of the anchor.
5. Thin, fine, and transparent: sheer curtains; sheer chiffon. See Synonyms at airy.
6. Completely such, without qualification or exception: sheer stupidity; sheer happiness.
7. Free from admixture or adulterants; unmixed: sheer alcohol. See Synonyms at pure.
8. Considered or operating apart from anything else: got the job through sheer persistence.
9. Almost perpendicular; steep: sheer rock cliffs. See Synonyms at steep1.
10. Almost perpendicularly.
11. Completely; altogether.