maneuver
muh-NOO-ver
/məˈnuːvə/
A movement or series of moves requiring skill and care.
Implies a planned, tactical, or difficult movement.
The story behind the word. From the Medieval Latin 'manuopera,' literally 'hand-work.' It originally meant manual labor but evolved to describe any skillful, planned movement, whether by hand, foot, or machine.
Word relationships
- movement: Movement is general; maneuver implies skill and planning.
- tactic: A tactic is a plan; a maneuver is the physical execution of that plan.
- stasis: A state of inactivity or equilibrium.
Commonly confused with
- movement: A maneuver is a specific, skillful type of movement.
Word family
- maneuverability (noun): The quality of being easy to maneuver.
- maneuverable (adjective): Able to be maneuvered easily.
Collocations
- tactical maneuver
- difficult maneuver
- maneuver into position
Example sentences
- "It was a difficult maneuver to pull off, requiring the skier to shift their weight at just the right moment." Describing a difficult ski turn.
- "The pilot performed a daring maneuver to avoid the obstacle in the flight path." A military or technical context.
Memory hook
Maneuver = Man + Over. A man moving over something skillfully. Maneuver = Masterful movement.
When not to use
Do not use for simple, unintentional movements.
Fun facts
- The British spelling is 'manoeuvre.'
- In chess, a 'maneuver' is a series of quiet moves with a long-term goal.
Also appears in
- Military Science & Warfare → Military Strategy & Tactics
- Military Science & Warfare → Warfare & Combat Operations
- Sports, Athletics & Recreation → Team Ball Sports
- Sports, Athletics & Recreation → Motor & Racing Sports
- Sports, Athletics & Recreation → Coaching, Strategy & Tactics
- Everyday Transportation & Driving → Driving Maneuvers & Parking
- Skilled Trades & Construction → Heavy Machinery & Earthmoving
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