Maneuver

Maneuver

Noun / Verb · /məˈnjuː.vər/

Definition

(Noun) a movement or series of moves requiring skill and care; a planned military movement; a clever or skilful tactical action; military exercises; (Verb) to move something carefully and with skill; to manipulate or guide a situation cleverly. British spelling: manoeuvre.

Origin

From French manœuvre, from Old French manouvrer (to work with the hands), from Medieval Latin manuoperare — manu (by hand) + operare (to work). The military sense of a tactical movement by troops developed in the 18th century. The figurative sense — a clever tactical move in a negotiation or political situation — is a natural extension.