mew
1[ myoo ]
/ myu /
noun
the tiny, high-pitched sound a cat or kitten makes.
the characteristic sound a gull makes.
verb (used without object)
to make a mew or emit a similar sound.
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Origin of mew
1First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English meuen; imitative
Definition for mew (2 of 4)
mew2
[ myoo ]
/ myu /
noun
a small gull, Larus canus, of Eurasia and northwestern North America.
Also called mew gull .
Origin of mew
2First recorded in before 900; Middle English; Old English mǣwe; cognate with German Müwe
Definition for mew (3 of 4)
mew3
[ myoo ]
/ myu /
noun
a cage for hawks, especially while molting.
a pen in which poultry is fattened.
a place of retirement or concealment.
mews, (usually used with a singular verb)Chiefly British.
- (formerly) an area of stables built around a small street.
- a street having small apartments converted from such stables.
verb (used with object)
Archaic. to shut up in or as in a mew; confine; conceal (often followed by up).
Origin of mew
3WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH mew
mews , museDefinition for mew (4 of 4)
Origin of mew
4First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English mewen, from Old French muer “to molt,” from Latin mūtāre “to change”
OTHER WORDS FROM mew
mewer, nounDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for mew
British Dictionary definitions for mew (1 of 4)
mew1
/ (mjuː) /
verb
(intr) (esp of a cat) to make a characteristic high-pitched cry
noun
such a sound
Word Origin for mew
C14: imitative
British Dictionary definitions for mew (2 of 4)
mew2
/ (mjuː) /
noun
any seagull, esp the common gull, Larus canusAlso called: mew gull, sea mew
Word Origin for mew
Old English mǣw; compare Old Saxon mēu, Middle Dutch mēwe
British Dictionary definitions for mew (3 of 4)
mew3
/ (mjuː) /
noun
a room or cage for hawks, esp while moulting
verb
(tr often foll by up) to confine (hawks or falcons) in a shelter, cage, etc, usually by tethering them to a perch
to confine, conceal
Word Origin for mew
C14: from Old French mue, from muer to moult, from Latin mūtāre to change
British Dictionary definitions for mew (4 of 4)
mew4
/ (mjuː) /
verb
(intr) (of hawks or falcons) to moult
(tr) obsolete to shed (one's covering, clothes, etc)
Word Origin for mew
C14: from Old French muer to moult, from Latin mūtāre to change
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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