manoeuvre
- Chiefly British. maneuver.
maneuver
- a planned and regulated movement or evolution of troops, warships, etc.
- maneuvers, a series of tactical exercises usually carried out in the field by large bodies of troops in simulating the conditions of war.
- an act or instance of changing the direction of a moving ship, vehicle, etc., as required.
- an adroit move, skillful proceeding, etc., especially as characterized by craftiness; ploy: political maneuvers.
- to change the position of (troops, ships, etc.) by a maneuver.
- to bring, put, drive, or make by maneuvers: He maneuvered his way into the confidence of the enemy.
- to manipulate or manage with skill or adroitness: to maneuver a conversation.
- to steer in various directions as required.
- to perform a maneuver or maneuvers.
- to scheme; intrigue.
Origin of maneuver
Synonyms for maneuver
Examples from the Web for manoeuvre
Contemporary Examples of manoeuvre
Rather than higher inflation, tumbling oil prices point to reduced price pressure and more room for manoeuvre for central bankers.
Historical Examples of manoeuvre
Do they not manoeuvre like soldiers who have seen stricken fields?
Main StreetNathaniel Hawthorne
We stood gaping and staring at her, not knowing what to make of this manoeuvre, when "bang!"
Ned MyersJames Fenimore Cooper
The cutter imitated this manoeuvre, and the boat of the wreck went last.
Homeward BoundJames Fenimore Cooper
And we land-lubbers were not the only ones he tricked by his manoeuvre.
Captain BloodRafael Sabatini
The people will read of my manoeuvre with the bulletin of victory before them.
Lord KilgobbinCharles Lever
manoeuvre
US maneuver
- a contrived, complicated, and possibly deceptive plan or actionpolitical manoeuvres
- a movement or action requiring dexterity and skill
- a tactic or movement of one or a number of military or naval units
- (plural)tactical exercises, usually on a large scale
- a planned movement of an aircraft in flight
- any change from the straight steady course of a ship
- (tr) to contrive or accomplish with skill or cunning
- (intr) to manipulate situations, etc, in order to gain some endto manoeuvre for the leadership
- (intr) to perform a manoeuvre or manoeuvres
- to move or deploy or be moved or deployed, as military units, etc
Word Origin for manoeuvre
maneuver
- the usual US spelling of manoeuvre
Word Origin and History for manoeuvre
maneuver
1777, from maneuver (n.), or else from French manœurvrer "work, work with one's hands; carry out, prepare" (12c.), from Medieval Latin manuoperare. Originally in a military sense. Figurative use from 1801. Related: Maneuvered; maneuvering.
maneuver
"planned movement of troops or warship," 1758, from French manoeuvre "manipulation, maneuver," from Old French manovre "manual labor" 13c.), from Medieval Latin manuopera (source of Spanish maniobra, Italian manovra), from manuoperare "work with the hands," from Latin manu operari, from manu, ablative of manus "hand" (see manual (adj.)) + operari "to work, operate" (see operation). The same word had been borrowed from French into Middle English in a sense "hand-labor" (late 15c.). General meaning "artful plan, adroit movement" is from 1774. Related: Maneuvers.
maneuver
(mə-nōō′vər)- A movement or procedure involving skill and dexterity.
- To manipulate into a desired position or toward a predetermined goal.