clew
Nautical. either lower corner of a square sail or the after lower corner of a fore-and-aft sail.
a ball or skein of thread, yarn, etc.
Usually clews. the rigging for a hammock.
Theater. a metal device holding scenery lines controlled by one weighted line.
Classical Mythology. the thread by which Theseus found his way out of the labyrinth.
to coil into a ball.
Theater.
to draw up the bottom edge of (a curtain, drop, etc.) and fold out of view; bag.
to secure (lines) with a clew.
clew down, Nautical. to secure (a sail) in an unfurled position.
clew up, Nautical. to haul (the lower corners of a square-rig sail) up to the yard by means of the clew lines.
Idioms about clew
spread a large clew, Nautical.
to carry a large amount of sail.
to present an impressive appearance.
Origin of clew
1Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use clew in a sentence
No one seemed to think of clewing up the sails, and thereby lessening the impetuous surges of the unfortunate galliot.
Captain Canot | Brantz MayerBut even then, with the utmost exertion of every man and boy on board, we barely succeeded in clewing all up.
The Lieutenant and Commander | Basil HallNo time for clewing up, or making snug: no thought of either.
The Flag of Distress | Mayne ReidIf the wind is light, you may square the fore and main yards before clewing up.
The Seaman's Friend | Richard Henry DanaMeanwhile the merchant crew were clewing up and hauling down to the accompaniment of the usual cries.
A Middy in Command | Harry Collingwood
British Dictionary definitions for clew
/ (kluː) /
a ball of thread, yarn, or twine
nautical either of the lower corners of a square sail or the after lower corner of a fore-and-aft sail
(usually plural) the rigging of a hammock
a rare variant of clue
(tr) to coil or roll into a ball
Origin of clew
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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