manoeuvre

[muh-noo-ver]

noun

manoeuvred, manoeuvring 

1. Chiefly British.,  a variant of maneuver.

manoeuvre

/ məˈnuːvə /

noun

1. a contrived, complicated, and possibly deceptive plan or action

   political manoeuvres

2. a movement or action requiring dexterity and skill

3. 1. a tactic or movement of one or a number of military or naval units

   2. (plural) tactical exercises, usually on a large scale

4. a planned movement of an aircraft in flight

5. any change from the straight steady course of a ship

verb

1. (tr) to contrive or accomplish with skill or cunning

2. (intr) to manipulate situations, etc, in order to gain some end

   to manoeuvre for the leadership

3. (intr) to perform a manoeuvre or manoeuvres

4. to move or deploy or be moved or deployed, as military units, etc

Other Word Forms

• manoeuvrer noun
• manoeuvring noun
• manoeuvrability noun
• manoeuvrable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of manoeuvre¹

C15: from French, from Medieval Latin manuopera manual work, from Latin manū operāre to work with the hand

Example Sentences

One government source said "there is a general view he's been on manoeuvres for years", but "the $64,000 question is why did No 10 decide to have a go this week?"

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The birds look lifeless as they are manoeuvred into position.

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The highway patrol then attempted a "PIT manoeuvre", a controversial technique law enforcement use to force a fleeing vehicle to suddenly spin sideways and stop.

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At Antrim Crown Court, the prosecution said Ms Broughton failed to take proper steps to make sure the road was clear before making a overtaking manoeuvre.

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For Rangers to bring players in, you'd expect some will need to go out in what is traditionally a harder transfer window to manoeuvre in.

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