clew line

American  

noun

Nautical.

1. one of the ropes or tackles used to raise the clews, or lower corners, of a square sail to the upper yard or mast.

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clew line British  

noun

1. nautical any of several lines fastened to the clews of a square sail and used for furling it

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Etymology

Origin of clew line

First recorded in 1620–30

Example Sentences

A curious result of the gale was a huge knot into which a strip of the maintopsail, the clew line, and chain sheet had twisted themselves in a hundred involutions, defying any attempt at extrication except by aid of the knife.

From Project Gutenberg