clew

/klu:/

Definition

Noun:
- A ball of yarn, cord, or thread: A coiled or wound-up mass of such material.
- Evidence that helps to solve a problem; a clue: A piece of information or an object that guides one toward a solution or understanding.
- (Nautical) The lower corner of a sail: Specifically, the corner to which sheets (control ropes) are attached.
- (Nautical, archaic) A rope used to suspend a hammock.
Verb:
- To roll or wind into a ball: To form something, especially yarn or thread, into a coiled mass.
- (Nautical) To draw (a sail) up to the yard or mast for furling: To raise the lower corners of a sail.

Examples of Usage

Noun:
- She held a clew of red yarn in her hand.
- The detective found a clew at the crime scene.
- The sailor adjusted the sheet attached to the clew of the mainsail.
Verb:
- Please clew up that loose rope so it doesn't trip anyone.
- The crew prepared to clew up the sails as the storm approached.

Advanced Usage

"From clew to earing": (Nautical idiom) From the bottom to the top of a sail; figuratively, from head to foot, completely.
- He was drenched from clew to earing.
"To give a clew": To provide a guiding piece of information.
- The witness's statement gave the police a vital clew.

Variants and Related Words

Clue: The modern, more common spelling for the "evidence" meaning of "clew". "Clew" is now considered an archaic variant for this sense.
- Follow every clue to solve the mystery.
Clewline: (Nautical, noun) A rope used to raise the clew of a sail.
Clew garnet: (Nautical, noun) A type of tackle used for hauling up the clew of a foresail.

Synonyms

Related Phrasal Verbs

Clew up: (Nautical) To haul up the clews of a sail to the yard for furling.
- We must clew up the topsails before the wind strengthens.

Related Idioms

Not have a clew: To have no idea or understanding; to be completely ignorant (archaic, based on the "clue" meaning).
- I haven't a clew what you're talking about.

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