Clew Definition

klo͝o
clews
noun
clews
A ball of yarn or thread.
American Heritage
A ball of thread or yarn: in Greek legend, a thread is used by Theseus as a guide out of the labyrinth.
Webster's New World
Webster's New World
Either of the lower corners of a square sail.
Webster's New World
A combination of lines by which a hammock is hung.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
verb
clews
To wind (up) into a ball.
Webster's New World
To raise the lower corners of (a square sail) by means of clew lines. Used with up.
American Heritage
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
idiom
clew down (<i>or</i> up)
  • to lower (or raise) a sail by means of clew lines
Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Clew

Noun

Singular:
clew
Plural:
clews

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Clew

  • clew down (or up)

Origin of Clew

  • Middle English clewe from Old English cliwen

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

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