manuvrer

Manœuvrer is a French verb meaning to maneuver, operate, or handle something with skill. It covers literal actions, such as steering a vehicle, guiding a tool, or managing machinery, and figurative uses, such as arranging, influencing, or negotiating to achieve a goal. The verb is transitive and commonly appears with a direct object referring to a device, a situation, or a set of circumstances.

Spelling and forms: The standard spelling is manœuvrer (with œ); in non-ligature contexts it is written manoeuvrer. The related noun manœuvre denotes a maneuver or a planned movement, while un manœuvre designates a manual laborer. The term’s roots lie in the concept of skilled handling or manipulation of a process or device.

Conjugation: It follows regular -er verb conjugation. Present: je manœuvre, tu manœuvres, il/elle manœuvre, nous manœuvrons, vous manœuvrez, ils/elles manœuvrent. Passé composé: j'ai manœuvré. Imparfait: je manœuvrais. Futur simple: je manœuvrerai. Subjonctif présent: que je manœuvre, que tu manœuvres, qu'il/elle manœuvre, que nous manœuvrions, que vous manœuvriez, qu'ils/elles manœuvrent.

Usage notes: The verb is common in technical writing, journalism, and literature when describing deliberate, strategic handling of a device or a situation. It can take various prepositional phrases, such as manœuvrer une porte, manœuvrer une machine, or manœuvrer une situation to indicate strategic or skillful action.