From Middle French manœuvre and manouvrer ("to maneuver"), from Old French manovre, from Medieval Latin manopera, manuopera ("work done by hand, handwork"), from manu ("by hand") + operari ("to work").

• (America) IPA: /məˈnuːvɚ/
• (RP) IPA: /məˈnuːvə/
• (Philippine, nonstandard) IPA: /məˈnjuːvɚ/

maneuver (plural maneuvers) (American spelling)

1. (military) The planned movement of troops, vehicles etc.; a strategic repositioning; a large training field-exercise of fighting units. [from 18th c.]

   The army was on maneuvers.

   Joint NATO maneuvers are as much an exercise in diplomacy as in tactics and logistics.

2. Any strategic or cunning action; a stratagem. [from 18th c.]
   • 1782, Frances Burney, Cecilia, III.v.7:

     “This,” cried he, “is a manœuvre I have been some time expecting: but Mr. Harrel, though artful and selfish, is by no means deep.”

3. A movement of the body, or with an implement, instrument etc., especially one performed with skill or dexterity. [from 18th c.]
4. (medicine) A specific medical or surgical movement, often eponymous, done with the doctor's hands or surgical instruments. [from 18th c.]

   The otorhinolaryngologist performed an Epley maneuver and the patient was relieved of his vertigo.

5. A controlled (especially skillful) movement taken while steering a vehicle. [from 18th c.]

   Parallel parking can be a difficult maneuver.

• French: manœuvre
• German: Manöver
• Russian: манёвр

• French: manœuvre, exercice
• German: Manöver, Übung
• Italian: manovra, esercitazione
• Portuguese: manobra, exercício
• Russian: манёвры
• Spanish: maniobra, ejercicio

• French: manœuvre
• German: Manöver
• Italian: manovra
• Portuguese: manobra
• Russian: манёвр
• Spanish: maniobra

maneuver (maneuvers, present participle maneuvering; simple past and past participle maneuvered) (American spelling)

1. (ambitransitive) To move (something, or oneself) carefully, and often with difficulty, into a certain position.
2. (figurative, transitive) To guide, steer, manage purposefully
3. (figurative, intransitive) To intrigue, manipulate, plot, scheme

   The patriarch maneuvered till his offspring occupied countless key posts

• French: manœuvrer
• German: manövrieren
• Italian: manovrare
• Portuguese: manobrar
• Russian: маневри́ровать
• Spanish: maniobrar

• Portuguese: manipular