steer

n. [ AS. steóra. See Steer a rudder. ] A helmsman; a pilot. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ AS. steór, stiór; akin to D. stuur, G. steuer, Icel. st&ymacr_;ri. √168. See Steer, v. t. ] [ Written also stere. ] A rudder or helm. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. 1. To direct a vessel in its course; to direct one's course. “No helmsman steers.” Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To be directed and governed; to take a direction, or course; to obey the helm; as, the boat steers easily. [ 1913 Webster ]

Where the wind
Veers oft, as oft [ a ship ] so steers, and shifts her sail. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To conduct one's self; to take or pursue a course of action. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Steered p. pr. & vb. n. Steering. ] [ OE. steeren, steren, AS. stiéran, st&ymacr_;ran, steóran; akin to OFries. stiora, stiura, D. sturen, OD. stieren, G. steuern, OHG. stiuren to direct, support, G. steuer contribution, tax, Icel. st&ymacr_;ra to steer, govern, Sw. styra, Dan. styre, Goth. stiurjan to establish, AS. steór a rudder, a helm, and probably to Icel. staurr a pale, stake, Gr. stayro`s, and perhaps ultimately to E. stand. √168. Cf. Starboard, Stern, n. ] To direct the course of; to guide; to govern; -- applied especially to a vessel in the water. [ 1913 Webster ]

That with a staff his feeble steps did steer. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To castrate; -- said of male calves. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Capable of being steered; dirigible. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. The act or practice of steering, or directing; as, the steerage of a ship. [ 1913 Webster ]

He left the city, and, in a most tempestuous season, forsook the helm and steerage of the commonwealth. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Naut.) (a) The effect of the helm on a ship; the manner in which an individual ship is affected by the helm. (b) The hinder part of a vessel; the stern. [ R. ] Swift. (c) Properly, the space in the after part of a vessel, under the cabin, but used generally to indicate any part of a vessel having the poorest accommodations and occupied by passengers paying the lowest rate of fare. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Direction; regulation; management; guidance. [ 1913 Webster ]

He that hath the steerage of my course. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. That by which a course is directed. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Here he hung on high,
The steerage of his wings. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

Steerage passenger, a passenger who takes passage in the steerage of a vessel. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Naut.) A rate of motion through the water sufficient to render a vessel governable by the helm. [ 1913 Webster ]