maneuver

maneuver [mə no͞o′vər, mənyo͞o′vər]

n.

[Fr manœuvre, orig., hand labor < VL manuopera < L manu operare, to work by hand < manus, a hand (see MANUAL) + opera, pl. of opus, a work: see OPUS]

1. a planned and controlled tactical or strategic movement of troops, warships, aircraft, etc.

2. [pl.] large-scale practice movements and exercises of troops, warships, aircraft, etc. under simulated combat conditions

3. any skillful change of movement or direction in driving a vehicle, controlling a spacecraft, etc.; specif.,

a) any change of movement by a flying aircraft

b) a series of movements by an aircraft according to a specific pattern, as a roll, a loop, etc.

4. any movement or procedure intended as a skillful or shrewd step toward some objective; stratagem; artifice; scheme

vi., vt.

1. to perform or cause to perform a maneuver or maneuvers

2. to manage or plan skillfully or shrewdly; manipulate or scheme

3.

a) to direct or guide (a vehicle, tool, etc.) with skill and dexterity

b) to move, lead, get, put, make, compel, etc. (a person or thing) by some stratagem or scheme

SYN.- TRICK

maneuverable

adj.

maneuverability

n.

maneuverer

n.