hew
hew definition
hew (hyo̵̅o̅)
transitive verb hewed, hewed or hewn, hewing hew′·ing
- to chop or cut with an ax, knife, etc.; hack; gash
- to make or shape by or as by cutting or chopping with an ax, etc.: often with out
- to chop (a tree) with an ax so as to cause it to fall: usually with down
Etymology: ME hewen < OE heawan, akin to Ger hauen, OHG houwan < IE base *kāu-, *keu-, to hew, strike > hay, L caudex, codex, cudere
intransitive verb
- to make cutting or chopping blows with an ax, knife, etc.
- ☆ to conform or adhere (to a line, rule, principle, etc.)
Related Forms:
- hewer hew′er noun
HEW definition
HEW
(Department of) Health, Education, and Welfare (1953-79)
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