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
- to carry a large amount of sail.
- to present an impressive appearance.
spread a large clew, Nautical.
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
Words nearby clew
clever,
clever dick,
clever-clever,
cleves,
clevis,
clew,
clew line,
clew up,
cli,
clianthus,
cliburn
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