clew

[ kloo ]
/ klu /

noun

verb (used with object)

Verb Phrases

clew down, Nautical. to secure (a sail) in an unfurled position.
clew up, Nautical. to haul (the lower corners of a square-rig sail) up to the yard by means of the clew lines.

Idioms for clew

    spread a large clew, Nautical.
    1. to carry a large amount of sail.
    2. to present an impressive appearance.

Origin of clew

before 900; Middle English clewe, Old English cleowen, cliewen, equivalent to cliew- (cognate with Old High German kliu ball) + -en -en5; akin to Dutch kluwen

British Dictionary definitions for clew up (1 of 2)

clew up

verb

(adverb) nautical to furl (a square sail) by gathering its clews up to the yard by means of clew lines

British Dictionary definitions for clew up (2 of 2)

clew
/ (kluː) /

noun

a ball of thread, yarn, or twine
nautical either of the lower corners of a square sail or the after lower corner of a fore-and-aft sail
(usually plural) the rigging of a hammock
a rare variant of clue

verb

(tr) to coil or roll into a ball

Word Origin for clew

Old English cliewen (vb); related to Old High German kliu ball