- a variation of maneuver.
manoeuvre
Americannoun
noun
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a contrived, complicated, and possibly deceptive plan or action
political manoeuvres
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a movement or action requiring dexterity and skill
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a tactic or movement of one or a number of military or naval units
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(plural) tactical exercises, usually on a large scale
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a planned movement of an aircraft in flight
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any change from the straight steady course of a ship
verb
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(tr) to contrive or accomplish with skill or cunning
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(intr) to manipulate situations, etc, in order to gain some end
to manoeuvre for the leadership
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(intr) to perform a manoeuvre or manoeuvres
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to move or deploy or be moved or deployed, as military units, etc
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of manoeuvre
C15: from French, from Medieval Latin manuopera manual work, from Latin manū operāre to work with the hand
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
My dad would’ve driven up from Derby with my brother, uncle and cousin, parking up near Heeley City Farm in an awkward traffic-bothering style that had long been known as The Manoeuvre.
From The Guardian • Apr. 6, 2020
At latest by 9 in the morning the day's Manoeuvre had finished, and everything was already in its place again.
From History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 21 by Carlyle, Thomas
First Class: Row singly for a given distance 1½ miles in 40 minutes, or according to certain standards, such as: Start Row forward Row backward Manoeuvre Good landing Fasten boat Canoeing Class II.
From Campward Ho! A Manual for Girl Scout Camps by Unknown
The King had spent the morning in a proof Manoeuvre, making rehearsal of the Manoeuvre that was to be.
From History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 21 by Carlyle, Thomas
It has also been seen that observation by Aircraft, Patrols, and Sentries is essential to Protection both in Position Warfare and the War of Manoeuvre, and that Reconnaissance is the essence of Protection.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.