'To break sheer' definitions:

Definition of 'To break sheer'

From: GCIDE
  • Sheer \Sheer\, n.
  • 1. (Naut.) (a) The longitudinal upward curvature of the deck, gunwale, and lines of a vessel, as when viewed from the side. (b) The position of a vessel riding at single anchor and swinging clear of it. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. A turn or change in a course. [1913 Webster]
  • Give the canoe a sheer and get nearer to the shore. --Cooper. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. pl. Shears See Shear. [1913 Webster]
  • Sheer batten (Shipbuilding), a long strip of wood to guide the carpenters in following the sheer plan.
  • Sheer boom, a boom slanting across a stream to direct floating logs to one side.
  • Sheer hulk. See Shear hulk, under Hulk.
  • Sheer plan, or Sheer draught (Shipbuilding), a projection of the lines of a vessel on a vertical longitudinal plane passing through the middle line of the vessel.
  • Sheer pole (Naut.), an iron rod lashed to the shrouds just above the dead-eyes and parallel to the ratlines.
  • Sheer strake (Shipbuilding), the strake under the gunwale on the top side. --Totten.
  • To break sheer (Naut.), to deviate from sheer, and risk fouling the anchor. [1913 Webster]