Steer , n. [AS. steóra. See Steer a rudder.]
A helmsman, a
pilot. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Steer , n. [AS. steór,
stiór; akin to D. stuur, G. steuer, Icel. st&?;ri. √186. See Steer, v. t.]
[Written also stere.] A rudder or helm. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Steer , v. 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 , v. t. [imp. & p. p. Steered (?);
p. pr. & vb. n.
Steering.]
[OE. steeren,
steren, AS. stiéran, st&?;ran,
steóran; akin to OFries. stiora, stiura, D. sturen, OD. stieren,
G. steuren, OHG. stiuren to direct, support, G. steuer contribution, tax, Icel.
st&?;ra 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. &?;, and perhaps ultimately to E. stand. √168. Cf. Starboard, Stern,
n.] 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 , v. t. To castrate; -- said of male calves.
Steer (?), n. [OE. steer, AS. steór; akin to D. & G. stier a bull, OHG. stior, Icel.
stjōrr, &?;jōrr, Sw.
tjur, Dan. tyr, Goth. stiur, Russ. tur', Pol. tur, Ir. & Gael. tarbh, W. tarw, L. taurus, Gr. &?;, Skr. sth&?;ra strong, stout, AS. stor large, Icel.
stōrr, OHG. st&?;ri, stiuri. √168. Cf.
Stirk, Taurine, a.]
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.
Hear it pronounced