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
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Client
Clientage
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Cliented
Clientelage
Clientele
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