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Definitions for: Clew
[n] evidence that helps to solve a problem
[n] a ball of yarn or cord or thread
[v] roll into a ball
Webster (1913) Definition: Clew, Clue Clue, n. [OE. clewe, clowe, clue, AS.
cleowen, cliwen, clywe ball of thread; akin to D. kluwen,
OHG. chliwa, chliuwa, G. dim. kleuel, kn["a]uel, and perch.
to L. gluma hull, husk, Skr. glaus sort of ball or tumor.
Perch. akin to E. claw. [root]26. Cf. Knawel.]
1. A ball of thread, yarn, or cord; also, The thread itself.
Untwisting his deceitful clew. --Spenser.
2. That which guides or directs one in anything of a doubtful
or intricate nature; that which gives a hint in the
solution of a mystery.
The clew, without which it was perilous to enter the
vast and intricate maze of countinental politics,
was in his hands. --Macaulay.
3. (Naut.)
(a.) A lower corner of a square sail, or the after corner
of a fore-and-aft sail.
(b.) A loop and thimbles at the corner of a sail.
(c.) A combination of lines or nettles by which a hammock
is suspended.
Clew garnet (Naut.), one of the ropes by which the clews of
the courses of square-rigged vessels are drawn up to the
lower yards.
Clew line (Naut.), a rope by which a clew of one of the
smaller square sails, as topsail, topgallant sail, or
royal, is run up to its yard.
Clew-line block (Naut.), The block through which a clew
line reeves. See Illust. of Block.
Clew, v. t. [imp. & p. p. & vb. n. Clewing.] [Cf. D.
kluwenen. See Clew, n.]
1. To direct; to guide, as by a thread. [Obs.]
Direct and clew me out the way to happiness. --Beau.
&& Fl.
2. (Naut.) To move of draw (a sail or yard) by means of the
clew garnets, clew lines, etc.; esp. to draw up the clews
of a square sail to the yard.
To clew down (Naut.), to force (a yard) down by hauling on
the clew lines.
To clew up (Naut.), to draw (a sail) up to the yard, as for
furling.
Synonyms: clue, clue, cue
See Also: ball, chunk, clod, clump, evidence, footmark, footprint, glob, lump, mark, roll, shadow, sign, step, trace, twine, vestige, wind, wrap
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