'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]