{ Ma*neu"ver, Ma*nœu"vre } (?), n. [F. manœuvre, OF. manuevre, LL. manopera, lit., hand work, manual labor; L. manus hand + opera, fr. opus work. See Manual, Operate, and cf. Mainor, Manure.]

1. Management; dexterous movement; specif., a military or naval evolution, movement, or change of position.

2. Management with address or artful design; adroit proceeding; stratagem.

{ Ma*neu"ver, Ma*nœu"vre, } v. i. [imp. & p. p. Maneuvered (#) or Manœuvred; p. pr. & vb. n. Maneuvering (&?;), or Manœuvring (&?;).] [Cf. F. manœuvrer. See Maneuver, n.] 1. To perform a movement or movements in military or naval tactics; to make changes in position with reference to getting advantage in attack or defense.

2. To manage with address or art; to scheme.

{ Ma*neu"ver, Ma*nœu"vre, } v. t. To change the positions of, as of troops of ships.

Ma*nœu"vre (?), n. & v. See Maneuver.

• A movement, often one performed with difficulty.
  
• (often plural) A large movement of military troops
       The army was on manoeuvres.
  
• To move (something) carefully, and often with difficulty, into a certain position.