swerve
[ swurv ]
/ swɜrv /
verb (used without object), swerved, swerv·ing.
to turn aside abruptly in movement or direction; deviate suddenly from the straight or direct course.
verb (used with object), swerved, swerv·ing.
to cause to turn aside: Nothing could swerve him.
noun
an act of swerving; turning aside.
Nearby words
Origin of swerve
1175–1225; Middle English swerven (v.); Old English sweorfan to rub, file; cognate with Dutch zwerven to rove, Old High German swerban, Old Norse sverfa to file, Gothic afswairban to wipe off
Related formsun·swerved, adjectiveun·swerv·ing, adjectiveun·swerv·ing·ly, adverbun·swerv·ing·ness, noun
Synonym study
1. See deviate.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for swerve
British Dictionary definitions for swerve
swerve
/ (swɜːv) /
verb
to turn or cause to turn aside, usually sharply or suddenly, from a course
(tr) to avoid (a person or event)
noun
the act, instance, or degree of swerving
Derived Formsswervable, adjectiveswerver, noun
Word Origin for swerve
Old English sweorfan to scour; related to Old High German swerban to wipe off, Gothic afswairban to wipe off, Old Norse sverfa to file
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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