clew

American  

[kloo] / klu /

noun

1. clue.

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.

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verb (used with object)

1. to coil into a ball.

2. clue.

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. clew down to secure (a sail) in an unfurled position.

2. clew up to haul (the lower corners of a square-rig sail) up to the yard by means of the clew lines.

idioms

1. spread a large clew,

   1. to carry a large amount of sail.

   2. to present an impressive appearance.

clew British  

/ 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

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verb

1. (tr) to coil or roll into a ball

Etymology

Origin of clew

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

Example Sentences

In the tradition of all great shaggy-dog stories, Hanif throws into the mix a few more potential sources of blame, including a clew of tapeworms and a mango-eating bird.

From The Guardian • Nov. 4, 2015

The Indianapolis Star spells it "clew," the Indianapolis News "clue."

From Time Magazine Archive

Just one-quarter mile from the finish line, Gretel's light blue Genoa jib tore loose from its main clew and flopped overboard.

From Time Magazine Archive

Immediately afterward, with her crew standing by to clew up the foretopsails, the backstays part and the We're Here's mainmast goes overside, carrying with it Manuel in a tangle of canvas, cable and running gear.

From Time Magazine Archive

"I've never had regular lessons, 'cepting this summer, when—" He stopped; Mr. Waterhouse's name would be, perhaps, a clew.

From Dorothy and other Italian Stories by Woolson, Constance Fenimore