CLEVY, CLEW, noun 1. A ball of thread. 2. The thread that forms a ball; the thread that is used to guide a person in a labyrinth. Hence, any thing that guides or directs one in an intricate case. 3. The lower corner of a square sail, and the aftmost corner of a stay sail. CLEW, verb transitive 1. In seamanship, to truss up to the yard, by means of clew-garnets or clew-lines, in order to furling. 2. To direct.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI