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Webster 1913 Edition


Steer

Steer

(stēr)
,
Noun.
[OE.
steer
, AS.
steór
; akin to D. & G.
stier
a bull, OHG.
stior
, Icel.
stjōrr
,
þjōrr
, Sw.
tjur
, Dan.
tyr
, Goth.
stiur
, Russ.
tur’
, Pol.
tur
, Ir. & Gael.
tarbh
, W.
tarw
, L.
taurus
, Gr.
ταῦρος
, Skr.
sthūra
strong, stout, AS.
stor
large, Icel.
stōrr
, OHG.
stūri
,
stiuri
. √168. Cf.
Stirk
,
Taurine
,
Adj.
]
A young male of the ox kind; especially, a common ox; a castrated taurine male from two to four years old. See the Note under
Ox
.

Steer

,
Verb.
T.
To castrate; – said of male calves.

Steer

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Steered
(stērd)
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Steering
.]
[OE.
steeren
,
steren
, AS.
stiéran
,
stȳran
,
steóran
; akin to OFries.
stiora
,
stiura
, D.
sturen
, OD.
stieren
, G.
steuern
, OHG.
stiuren
to direct, support, G.
steuer
contribution, tax, Icel.
stȳra
to steer, govern, Sw.
styra
, Dan.
styre
, Goth.
stiurjan
to establish, AS.
steór
a rudder, a helm, and probably to Icel.
staurr
a pale, stake, Gr.
σταυρός
, and perhaps ultimately to E.
stand
. √168. Cf.
Starboard
,
Stern
,
Noun.
]
To direct the course of; to guide; to govern; – applied especially to a vessel in the water.
That with a staff his feeble steps did
steer
.
Spenser.

Steer

,
Verb.
I.
1.
To direct a vessel in its course; to direct one's course.
“No helmsman steers.”
Tennyson.
2.
To be directed and governed; to take a direction, or course; to obey the helm;
as, the boat
steers
easily
.
Where the wind
Veers oft, as oft [a ship] so
steers
, and shifts her sail.
Milton.
3.
To conduct one's self; to take or pursue a course of action.

Steer

,
Noun.
[AS.
steór
,
stiór
; akin to D.
stuur
, G.
steuer
, Icel.
stȳri
. √168. See
Steer
,
Verb.
T.
]
[Written also
stere
.]
A rudder or helm.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.

Steer

,
Noun.
[AS.
steóra
. See
Steer
a rudder.]
A helmsman; a pilot.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.

Webster 1828 Edition


Steer

STEER

,
Noun.
A young male of the ox kind or common ox. It is rendered in Dutch, a bull; but in the United States, this name is generally given to a castrated male of the ox kind, from two to four years old.
With solemn pomp then sacrificd a steer.

STEER

,
Verb.
T.
[G., to hinder, restrain, repress, to curb, to steer, to pilot, to aid, help, support. The verb si connected with or derived from steuer, a rudder, a helm, aid, help, subsidy, impost, tax, contribution.]
1.
To direct; to govern; particularly, to direct and govern the course of a ship by the movements of the helm. Hence,
2.
To direct; to guide; to show the way or course to.
That with a staff his feeble steps did steer.

STEER

,
Verb.
I.
1.
To direct and govern a ship or other vessel in its course. Formerly seamen steered by the stars; they ow steer by the compass.
A ship--where the wind veers oft, as oft so steers and shifts her sail.
2.
To be directed and governed; as, a ship steers with ease.
3.
To conduct ones self; to take or pursue a course or way.

STEER

,
Noun.
A rudder or helm. [Not in use.]