clew

/klu:/

Thân thiện

The detective found a clew under the chair.

Definition

1. 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.

2. 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

• Noun (ball): Coil, ball, skein.
• Noun (evidence): Hint, indication, lead, sign, clue.
• Verb (roll): Coil, wind, roll up.

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.

Học thuật

Noun

1. evidence that helps to solve a problem
2. a ball of yarn or cord or thread

Verb

1. roll into a ball

Từ đồng nghĩa

• clue
• cue