manoeuvre

1. 1. A strategic or tactical military or naval movement.
   2. A large-scale tactical exercise carried out under simulated conditions of war. Often used in the plural.
2. A controlled change in movement or direction of a moving vehicle or vessel, as in the flight path of an aircraft.
3. A movement or procedure involving skill and dexterity.
4. 1. A strategic action undertaken to gain an end.
   2. Artful handling of affairs that is often marked by scheming and deceit. See synonyms at wile.

1. To carry out a military or naval maneuver.
2. To make a controlled series of changes in movement or direction toward an objective: maneuvered to get closer to the stage.
3. To shift ground; change tactics: The opposition had no room in which to maneuver.
4. To use stratagems in gaining an end.

1. To alter the tactical placement of (troops or warships).
2. To direct through a series of movements or changes in course: maneuvered the car through traffic.
3. To manipulate into a desired position or toward a predetermined goal: maneuvered him into signing the contract. See synonyms at manipulate.

[French manœuvre, from Old French maneuvre, manual work, from Medieval Latin manuopera, from Latin manū operārī, to work by hand : manū, ablative of manus, hand + operārī, to work.]