Main Entry: ³sheer

Function: adjective

Etymology: Middle English schere freed from guilt, probably alteration of skere, from Old Norse skærr pure; akin to Old English scīnan to shine

Date: circa 1568

1 obsolete : bright, shining
2 : of very thin or transparent texture : diaphanous
3 a : unqualified, utter <sheer folly> <sheer ignorance> b : being free from an adulterant : pure, unmixed c : viewed or acting in dissociation from all else <in terms of sheer numbers>
4 : marked by great and continuous steepness

synonyms see steep

— sheer·ly adverb

— sheer·ness noun