clew

[ kloo ]

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. Theater. a metal device holding scenery lines controlled by one weighted line.
6. Classical Mythology. the thread by which Theseus found his way out of the labyrinth.

verb (used with object)

1. to coil into a ball.
2. clue ( def 5 ).
3. Theater.
   1. to draw up the bottom edge of (a curtain, drop, etc.) and fold out of view; bag.
   2. to secure (lines) with a clew.

verb phrase

1. Nautical. to secure (a sail) in an unfurled position.
2. Nautical. to haul (the lower corners of a square-rig sail) up to the yard by means of the clew lines.

clew

/ kluː /

noun

1. a ball of thread, yarn, or twine
2. nautical either of the lower corners of a square sail or the after lower corner of a fore-and-aft sail
3. usually plural the rigging of a hammock
4. a rare variant of clue

verb

1. tr to coil or roll into a ball

Word History and Origins

Origin of clew¹

before 900; Middle English clewe, Old English cleowen, cliewen, equivalent to cliew- (cognate with Old High German kliu ball) + -en -en ⁵; akin to Dutch kluwen

Word History and Origins

Origin of clew¹

Old English cliewen (vb); related to Old High German kliu ball

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. spread a large clew, Nautical.
   1. to carry a large amount of sail.
   2. to present an impressive appearance.

Example Sentences

Innumerable clews were thus obtained to bring to trial those who failed to accuse themselves, and to exhume and burn the bones of those who were beyond the ability to recant.

From Project Gutenberg

Well, then, I think I have hit on a sort of a clew to the Ogilvey part of the mystery, at any rate.

From Project Gutenberg

This gives no clew to him, Dinah, for you know well how I would welcome any one who has impressed you so favorably.

From Project Gutenberg

"Then suppose we take the cargo across for transshipment and see if we can pick up a clew at the other end?"

From Project Gutenberg

There is no clew to it, except—perhaps he was not fooled.

From Project Gutenberg