maneuver

[ muh-noo-ver ]

noun

1. a planned and regulated movement or evolution of troops, warships, etc.
2. maneuvers, a series of tactical exercises usually carried out in the field by large bodies of troops in simulating the conditions of war.
3. an act or instance of changing the direction of a moving ship, vehicle, etc., as required.
4. an adroit move, skillful proceeding, etc., especially as characterized by craftiness; ploy:

   political maneuvers.

   Synonyms: plan, plot, scheme, procedure, artifice, ruse, tactic, stratagem

verb (used with object)

, ma·neu·vered, ma·neu·ver·ing.

1. to change the position of (troops, ships, etc.) by a maneuver.
2. to bring, put, drive, or make by maneuvers:

   He maneuvered his way into the confidence of the enemy.

   Synonyms: intrigue, contrive, scheme

3. to manipulate or manage with skill or adroitness:

   to maneuver a conversation.

   Synonyms: finesse, handle

4. to steer in various directions as required.

verb (used without object)

, ma·neu·vered, ma·neu·ver·ing.

1. to perform a maneuver or maneuvers.
2. to scheme; intrigue.

   Synonyms: plan, plot

maneuver

/ məˈnuːvə /

noun

1. the usual US spelling of manoeuvre

Derived Forms

• maˈneuvering, noun
• maˈneuverable, adjective
• maˌneuveraˈbility, noun
• maˈneuverer, noun

Other Words From

• ma·neuver·a·ble adjective
• ma·neuver·a·bili·ty noun
• ma·neuver·er noun
• unma·neuvered adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of maneuver¹

First recorded in 1470–80 for an earlier sense; 1750–60 for current noun sense; from French manoeuvre, Middle French manuevre “handwork,” derivative of Old French manuvrer, from Latin manū operāre “to do handwork,” equivalent to manū (ablative of manus “hand”) + operāre “to work” ( operate ); replacing earlier maanorre “manual labor,” Middle French, as above

Related Words

• action
• gimmick
• manipulation
• measure
• movement
• plot
• ploy
• procedure
• ruse
• scheme
• step
• stunt
• trick