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clew

 - 4 dictionary results

clew

  [kloo]
Use clew in a Sentence
–noun
1. clue (def. 1).
2. Nautical. either lower corner of a square sail or the after lower corner of a fore-and-aft sail.
3. a ball or skein of thread, yarn, etc.
4. Usually, clews. the rigging for a hammock.
5. Theater. a metal device holding scenery lines controlled by one weighted line.
6. Classical Mythology. the thread by which Theseus found his way out of the labyrinth.
–verb (used with object)
7. to coil into a ball.
8. clue (def. 3).
9. Theater.
a. to draw up the bottom edge of (a curtain, drop, etc.) and fold out of view; bag.
b. to secure (lines) with a clew.
—Verb phrases
10. clew down, Nautical. to secure (a sail) in an unfurled position.
11. clew up, Nautical. to haul (the lower corners of a square-rig sail) up to the yard by means of the clew lines.
—Idiom
12. spread a large clew, Nautical.
a. to carry a large amount of sail.
b. to present an impressive appearance.
Origin:
bef. 900; ME clewe, OE cleowen, cliewen, equiv. to cliew- (c. OHG kliu ball) + -en -en 5 ; akin to D kluwen
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To clew
clew 1   (klōō)   
n.  

  1. A ball of yarn or thread.

  2. Greek Mythology The ball of thread used by Theseus to find his way out of the labyrinth.

  3. clews The cords by which a hammock is suspended.

  4. also clue Nautical

    1. One of the two lower corners of a square sail.

    2. The lower aft corner of a fore-and-aft sail.

    3. A metal loop attached to the lower corner of a sail.

tr.v.   clewed, clew·ing, clews

  1. To roll or coil into a ball.

  2. also clue Nautical To raise the lower corners of (a square sail) by means of clew lines. Used with up.


[Middle English clewe, from Old English cliwen.]
clew 2   (klōō)   
n.   & v. Chiefly British
Variant of clue1.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

clew 
"ball of thread or yarn," northern Eng. and Scot. relic of O.E. cleowen, probably from W.Gmc. *kleuwin, from P.Gmc. *kliwjo-, from I.E. *gleu- "gather into a mass, conglomerate" (related to clay).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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