| 释义 |
steerer|ˈstɪərə(r)|
Also 4 styrer, 5 sterer, 6 stirrer, 7 stearer.
[f. steer v.1 + -er1.]
†1.
a. A rudder. Obs.
1398Trevisa Barth. De P.R. xii. xi. (1535) 169/2 And in swymmynge he [the swan] vseth that one fote in stede of an oore, and the other in stede of a styrer [pro gubernaculo], and ruleth hym selfe therwith. 1633Drummond of Hawthornden Entert. K. Chas. Sp. Caledonia i. 58 Being to themselves Oares, Steerers, ship and all.
b. ‘A machine for controlling the rudder of a boat or yacht’ (Cent. Dict. Suppl. 1909).
c. (See quot.)
1895Headley Struct. Birds vi. 153 The large tail feathers are called rectrices or steerers.
2. One who steers, a steersman; a coxswain (of a rowing boat).
1585Higins Junius' Nomencl. 515/1 Gubernator,..the gouernor, director, or pilot of the ship: the sterneman or stirrer. 1675Hobbes Odyss. (1677) 153 A sudden blast..breaks the cordage that upheld the mast; Which falling down beats out the steerers brains. 1868Field 28 Nov. 445/2 Though repeatedly urged by his steerer, he [the oarsman] seemed quite unable to quicken. 1887J. Thomson in J. B. Thomson Mem. ix. (1896) 198 But when contrary or violent winds rise then the steerer is helpless.
fig.1659Pearson Creed i. 36 Thus appears the Maker to be the steerer of this great ship [the world]. 1730Swift Ep. Ld. Carteret 59 There's not a better Steerer in the Realm, I hope, my Lord, you'll call him to the Helm.
3. U.S. slang. A swindler whose business it is to lead his victims to the rendezvous. Also, see quot. 1910.
1873‘J. Morris’ Wanderings of Vagabond xix. 210 Let us now take a peep into the brace room, while the steerer and his victim are on their way to it. 1883[cf. bunko-steerers s.v. bunco]. 1889Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch 6 Sept., The [gambling-] place was full of players, who got there by means of ‘steerers’ sent out for the purpose. 1905Blackw. Mag. Jan. 137/1 ‘Steerers’ and ‘boosters’ [of gambling-hells] were always on the look⁓out for ‘suckers’ whom they encountered at the railway-stations, at the hotels, or even in the streets. 1910N.Y. Evening Post 10 Jan. (Thornton Amer. Gloss.), A steerer is the go-between of the shyster and prisoner; by wile and guile he brings clients to the lawyer.
4. That directs its course:
a. of a ship with adj. referring to its power of answering to the helm or rudder.
1887Times (weekly ed.) 19 Aug. 4/1 The ship is a bad steerer and her speed is not very great. 1901Daily Tel. 18 Mar. 7/4 Dr. Warre's model [of a rowing boat]..is also a very quick steerer, for her rudder is not 7 inches long.
b. of a cycle, with prefix indicating the position of its steering-wheel.
1882Wheel World Mar. 185 [Tricycles.] Two rear-steerers... A front-steerer. 1888Encycl. Brit. XXIII. 559/2. |