Definition of clew - Reverso English Dictionary
Noun
1.
sailingTECH. UK the lower corner of a sail for trimmingTECH. UK
- The sailor adjusted the clew of the sail.
2.
navigationDated UK yarn or thread used to guide through a mazeDated UK
- The hero used a clew to escape the labyrinth.
3.
campingDated UK the cords suspending a hammockDated UK
- He lay back, supported by the clews.
4.
sewingDated UK ball of thread, yarn, or twineDated UK
- She held a clew in her hand.
Verb
1.
sailingTECH. UK secure a sail by hauling up the lower cornersTECH. UK
- The sailors clewed up the mainsail as the wind rose..
2.
rollingDated UK roll or coil into a ballDated UK
- She clewed the yarn neatly.
Images of clew

yarn or thread used to guide through a maze 
the cords suspending a hammock 
ball of thread, yarn, or twine
Expressions with clew
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rope attached to the corner of a sail
The sailor pulled the clew line to furl the sail.
Origin of clew
Old English, cleowen (ball of thread)
Examples of clew in a sentence
The clew was reinforced to withstand strong winds. He followed the clew to find his way out. A clew was essential for navigating the dark passages. The clew snapped, and the hammock fell. He adjusted the clews for better comfort. The clew unraveled as she walked.
He wound the clew carefully to avoid tangles. They had to clew the sail quickly during the storm. The crew clewed the jib as they approached the harbor. He clewed the rope before storing it. The sailor clewed the sails efficiently.
View all translations of clew
Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
- French:point d'écoute, carguer, ...
- German:Segelschot, Segel sichern, ...
- Italian:bugno, legare, ...
- Spanish:puño, izar, ...
- Portuguese:canto da vela, amurar, ...
- Chinese:下角, 收帆, ...
- Japanese:クリュー, 帆をたたむ, ...
- Arabic:زاوِيَة الشِّراع السُّفْلِيَّة, جَمَعَ, ...
- Hebrew:קְלִיוּ, לִקְשֹׁר אֶת פִּינוֹת הַמִּפְרָשׁ, ...
- Russian:нижний угол паруса, убирать парус, ...
- Ukrainian:шкот, закріплювати вітрило, ...
- Hindi:क्लू, पाल समेटना, ...
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