The spelling of the word "manoeuvres" can be a challenge for many English speakers. The reason is that the word has a French origin and the letters "oe" are not commonly used in English words. The phonetic transcription for "manoeuvres" is /məˈnuːvərz/, with the stress on the second syllable. The pronunciation of the word is similar to "man-oo-vuhz," with the "v" sound made by the lips touching the upper teeth. Remembering the origin and the phonetic transcription can help you spell and pronounce "manoeuvres" correctly.
Manoeuvres, also spelled as "maneuvers" in American English, refers to a noun that signifies a series of planned actions or movements designed to achieve a particular objective. The term is commonly used within the context of various fields such as military, sports, driving, and even in the figurative sense of social or political strategies.
In military parlance, manoeuvres are tactical or strategic movements executed by armed forces to gain advantage over the enemy, alter the battlefield situation, or achieve specific objectives. These planned actions involve the deployment of troops, equipment, and resources to outmanoeuvre, outflank, or surprise the opposing forces.
In the realm of sports, particularly team sports like football, basketball, or hockey, manoeuvres refer to skillful and deliberate movements executed by players or teams to outwit their opponents, create scoring opportunities, or gain control of the game.
The term "manoeuvres" is also used in relation to driving, indicating skillful or careful actions performed by a driver to navigate through challenging road conditions, execute turnings, or park a vehicle in a precise manner.
Beyond these specific contexts, manoeuvres can be understood more broadly as strategic actions or clever tactics employed in social or political spheres to achieve personal or group goals. These can include shrewd negotiations, calculated moves, or diplomatic steps taken to manipulate situations or gain advantages in various arenas.
The word manoeuvres originated from the Old French term manovre or maneuvre, which came from the Latin word manuopera. Manu means hand, and opera means work, so manuopera translates to handwork or handiwork. Over time, the term evolved and was adopted into Middle English as manouvre or maneuvre, eventually morphing into its modern English form manoeuvres.