Nearby Words
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.
EXPANDTheater. a metal device holding scenery lines controlled by one weighted line.
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.
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Clewing
is always a great word to know.
So is slumgullion. Does it mean:
| a chattering or flighty, light-headed person. |
| a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc. |
10.
clew down, Nautical. to secure (a sail) in an unfurled position.
11.
Idiomclew up, Nautical. to haul (the lower corners of a square-rig sail) up to the yard by means of the clew lines.
12.
spread a large clew, Nautical.
a.
to carry a large amount of sail.
b.
to present an impressive appearance.
Origin:
before 900; Middle English clewe, Old English cleowen, cliewen, equivalent to cliew- (cognate with Old High German kliu ball) + -en -en5; akin to Dutch kluwen
before 900; Middle English clewe, Old English cleowen, cliewen, equivalent to cliew- (cognate with Old High German kliu ball) + -en -en5; akin to Dutch kluwen
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Link To clewing
Etymonline
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, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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