from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Clew \Clew\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Clewed} p. pr. & vb. n.
{Clewing}.] [Cf. D. kluwenen. See {Clew}, n.]
1. To direct; to guide, as by a thread. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster]
Direct and clew me out the way to happiness. --Beau.
& Fl.
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2. (Naut.) To move of draw (a sail or yard) by means of the
clew garnets, clew lines, etc.; esp. to draw up the clews
of a square sail to the yard.
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{To clew down} (Naut.), to force (a yard) down by hauling on
the clew lines.
{To clew up} (Naut.), to draw (a sail) up to the yard, as for
furling.
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