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

1obsolete : bright, shining2: of very thin or transparent texture : diaphanous3 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