2. That which guides or directs one in anything of a doubtful or intricate nature; that which gives a hint in the solution of a mystery. The clew, without which it was perilous to enter the vast and intricate maze of countinental politics, was in his hands. Macaulay.
3. (Naut.) (a.)
Defn: A lower corner of a square sail, or the after corner of a fore- and-aft sail. (b.)
Defn: A loop and thimbles at the corner of a sail. (c.)
Defn: A combination of lines or nettles by which a hammock is suspended. Clew garnet (Naut.), one of the ropes by which the clews of the courses of square-rigged vessels are drawn up to the lower yards. — Clew line (Naut.), a rope by which a clew of one of the smaller square sails, as topsail, topgallant sail, or royal, is run up to its yard. — Clew-line block (Naut.), The block through which a clew line reeves. See Illust. of Block.
CLEW
Clew, v. t. [imp. & p. p. & vb. n. Clewing.] Etym: [Cf. D. kluwenen.
See Clew, n.]
1. To direct; to guide, as by a thread. [Obs.] Direct and clew me out the way to happiness. Beau. && Fl.
2. (Naut.)
Defn: 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. 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.
CLICHE
Cli`ché", n. Etym: [F. cliché, from clicher to stereotype.]