steerer
(ˈstɪərə(r))
Also 4 styrer, 5 sterer, 6 stirrer, 7 stearer.
[f. steer v.1 + -er1.]
† 1. a. A rudder. Obs.
| 1398 Trevisa 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. 1633 Drummond 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.)
| 1895 Headley 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).
| 1585 Higins Junius' Nomencl. 515/1 Gubernator,..the gouernor, director, or pilot of the ship: the sterneman or stirrer. 1675 Hobbes Odyss. (1677) 153 A sudden blast..breaks the cordage that upheld the mast; Which falling down beats out the steerers brains. 1868 Field 28 Nov. 445/2 Though repeatedly urged by his steerer, he [the oarsman] seemed quite unable to quicken. 1887 J. Thomson in J. B. Thomson Mem. ix. (1896) 198 But when contrary or violent winds rise then the steerer is helpless. |
| fig. 1659 Pearson Creed i. 36 Thus appears the Maker to be the steerer of this great ship [the world]. 1730 Swift 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]. 1889 Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch 6 Sept., The [gambling-] place was full of players, who got there by means of ‘steerers’ sent out for the purpose. 1905 Blackw. 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. 1910 N.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.
| 1887 Times (weekly ed.) 19 Aug. 4/1 The ship is a bad steerer and her speed is not very great. 1901 Daily 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.
| 1882 Wheel World Mar. 185 [Tricycles.] Two rear-steerers... A front-steerer. 1888 Encycl. Brit. XXIII. 559/2. |