sew

¹

[soo]

verb (used with object)

sewed, sewing 

1. to ground (a vessel) at low tide (sometimes followed by byup ).

verb (used without object)

sewed, sewing 

1. (of a vessel) to be grounded at low tide.

noun

1. the amount of additional water necessary to float a grounded vessel.

sew

²

[soh]

verb (used with object)

sewed, sewn, sewed, sewing. 

1. to join or attach by stitches.

2. to make, repair, etc., (a garment) by such means.

3. to enclose or secure with stitches.

   to sew flour in a bag.

4. to close (a hole, wound, etc.) by means of stitches (usually followed byup ).

verb (used without object)

sewed, sewn, sewed, sewing. 

1. to work with a needle and thread or with a sewing machine.

verb phrase

1. sew up

   1. Informal.,  to get or have a monopoly of; control exclusively.

   2. Informal.,  to complete or conclude (arrangements, negotiations, etc.) successfully.

      They were about to sew up the deal when the argument started.

   3. to gain or be assured of.

      He tried to sew up as many votes as possible before the convention.

sew

/ səʊ /

verb

1. to join or decorate (pieces of fabric, etc) by means of a thread repeatedly passed through with a needle or similar implement

2. (tr; often foll by on or up) to attach, fasten, or close by sewing

3. (tr) to make (a garment, etc) by sewing

Other Word Forms

• sewable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sew¹

First recorded in 1580–90; from Middle French sewer, shortening of essewer, from unattested Vulgar Latin exaquāre, equivalent to Latin ex- “out of, from, thoroughly” + verb derivative of aqua “water”; sewer ¹

Origin of sew²

First recorded before 900; Middle English seuen, souen, Old English siw(i)an, siowan; cognate with Old High German siuwan, Old Norse sauma, Gothic siujan; akin to Sanskrit sī́vyati “(he) sews,” Latin suere; seam

Word History and Origins

Origin of sew¹

Old English sēowan; related to Old Norse sӯja, Gothic siujan, Old High German siuwen, Latin suere to sew, Sanskrit sīvjati he sews

Example Sentences

“She was sewing every part of herself through the experience as well,” Buckley says.

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The webs snap taut as the crew sews both sides of the ship together.

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Yet just the other evening Penelope had overheard her complain that the dressmaker refused to sew another stitch until paid the money owed her.

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“Mother Ashton, I am afraid sewing would be much too dangerous. The needles are exceedingly sharp.”

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Mama would try to keep me occupied reading books, helping around the house, learning how to sew and cook, and practicing the piano—typical girls’ activities back then.

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Related Words

• embroider 
• fasten 
• stitch 
• tailor