noun
clew
A corner of a sail where lines are attached.
The sailor attaches the sheet to the sail's lower clew.
Etymology
Old English cliewen meant a ball of thread. The nautical use transferred the name to the fittings and lower corner of a sail where ropes gather and are attached for controlling it.
More examples
- A reinforced eyelet strengthened the clew.
- The line pulled the clew toward the stern.
- The sailmaker repaired the torn clew before the voyage.
Forms
clew · clews
Similar words
- tack
- Another lower sail corner, commonly the forward one rather than the clew.