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

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

A good deal shorter than you are?" my lady said uneasily; "that is no clew.

From Project Gutenberg