from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Queer \Queer\ (kw[=e]r), a. [Compar. {Queerer} (kw[=e]r"[~e]r);
superl. {Queerest}.] [G. quer cross, oblique, athwart (cf.
querkopf a queer fellow), {OHG}. twer, twerh, dwerah; akin to
D. dvars, AS, [thorn]weorh thwart, bent, twisted, Icel.
[thorn]verr thwart, transverse, Goth. [thorn]wa[`i]rhs angry,
and perh. to L. torqyere to twist, and E. through. Cf.
{Torture}, {Through}, {Thwart}, a.]
1. At variance with what is usual or normal; differing in
some odd way from what is ordinary; odd; singular;
strange; whimsical; as, a queer story or act. " A queer
look." --W. Irving.
[1913 Webster]
2. Mysterious; suspicious; questionable; as, a queer
transaction. [Colloq.]
[1913 Webster]
3. homosexual. [disparaging and offensive]
[PJC]