Clew
Definition of Clew
Pronunciation:
klū
n.
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
lower
corner
of
a
square
sail
,
or
the
after
corner
of
a
fore-and-aft
sail
.
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
.
v. t.
1.
To
direct
;
to
guide
,
as
by
a
thread
.
[
imp
. &
p
.
p
.
Clewed
p
.
pr
. &
vb
.
n
.
Clewing
.]
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
.
Related Words
clue
,
roll
,
twine
,
wind
,
wrap
Word:
Browse
Clericity
Cleridae
clerihew
Clerisy
Clerk
Clerk of the pells
Clerk-ale
Clerkless
Clerklike
Clerkliness
Clerkly
Clerkship
Cleromancy
Cleronomy
Clerstory
Clever
Cleverish
Cleverly
Cleverness
Clevis
-Clew-
Clew garnet
Clew line
Clew-line block
Cliche
Cliche casting
cliched
Click
Click beetle
Clicker
Clicket
clickety-clack
Clicky
Clidastes
Cliency
Client
Clientage
Cliental
Cliented
Clientelage
Clientele
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
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