sheer

/ˈshir/

Middle English schere freed from guilt, probably alteration of skere, from Old Norse skærr pure; akin to Old English scīnan to shine

adjective

  1. unqualified, utter

  2. being free from an adulterant : pure, unmixed

  3. viewed or acting in dissociation from all else

sheer folly

steep abrupt precipitous sheer mean having an incline approaching the perpendicular. steep implies such sharpness of pitch that ascent or descent is very difficult. abrupt implies a sharper pitch and a sudden break in the level.

noun

  1. a sheer fabric; also : an article of such a fabric

adverb

  1. straight up or down without a break : perpendicularly

  2. in a complete manner : altogether