Clew

Quick meaning: Clew is a noun meaning Yarn or thread as used to guide one's way through a maze or labyrinth; a guide, a clue.

Meaning

Yarn or thread as used to guide one's way through a maze or labyrinth; a guide, a clue.

More Meanings

1. (in the plural) The sheets so attached to a sail.
2. (nautical, in the plural) The cords suspending a hammock.
3. (transitive) to roll into a ball
4. (nautical) The lower corner(s) of a sail to which a sheet is attached for trimming the sail (adjusting its position relative to the wind); the metal loop or cringle in the corner of the sail, to which the sheet is attached. (on a triangular sail) The trailing corner relative to the wind direction.
5. Archaic spelling of clue.
6. (obsolete) A roughly spherical mass or body.
7. (archaic) A ball of thread or yarn.

Example Sentences

If the whole troupe be diuided into many clewes, or round bunches, you need not then doubt but that there are many kings.

Both theſe creatures [the "ai" (aye-aye?) and "unan"], by forming themſelves in a clew, have often more the appearance of excreſcences in the bark, than that of animals.

'Mid the rattle of blocks and the tramp of the crew, Hisses the rain of the rushing squall; The sails are aback from clew to clew, And now is the moment for "MAINSAIL, HAUL!"

The Fairy Paribanou was at that time very hard at work, and, as she had several clews of thread by her, she took up one, and, presenting it to Prince Ahmed, said: "First take this clew of thread.

Word Forms

• clews
• clewing
• clewed

Synonyms for clew

Depending on context, synonyms include cue, clue.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include clue, cue, skein, garnets, garnet, scandalize.

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