Definition of "clew"
- noun
A roughly spherical mass or body.
A ball of thread or yarn.
Yarn or thread as used to guide one's way through a maze or labyrinth; a guide, a clue.
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 clew is the trailing corner relative to the wind direction.
The sheets so attached to a sail.
The cords suspending a hammock.
Archaic form of clue.
- verb
To roll into a ball.
(transitive and intransitive) to raise the lower corner(s) of (a sail).
- Sources