Sheer \Sheer\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Sheered}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Sheering}.] [D. sheren to shear, cut, withdraw, warp. See {Shear}.] To decline or deviate from the line of the proper course; to turn aside; to swerve; as, a ship sheers from her course; a horse sheers at a bicycle. [1913 Webster] {To sheer off}, to turn or move aside to a distance; to move away. {To sheer up}, to approach obliquely. [1913 Webster]