Hew (?), v. t. [imp. Hewed (?); p. p. Hewed or Hewn (); p. pr. & vb. n. Hewing.] [AS. he�xa0;wan; akin to D. houwen, OHG. houwan, G. hauen, Icel. hoggva, Sw. hugga, Dan. hugge, Lith. kova battle, Russ. kovate to hammer, forge. Cf. Hay cut grass, Hoe.]

1.

To cut with an ax; to fell with a sharp instrument; -- often with down, or off.

Shak.

2.

To form or shape with a sharp instrument; to cut; hence, to form laboriously; -- often with out; as, to hew out a sepulcher.

Look unto the rock whence ye are hewn. Is. li. 1.

Rather polishing old works than hewing out new. Pope.

3.

To cut in pieces; to chop; to hack.

Hew them to pieces; hack their bones asunder. Shak.

 

© Webster 1913.


Hew, n.

Destruction by cutting down.

[Obs.]

Of whom he makes such havoc and such hew. Spenser.

 

© Webster 1913.


Hew, n.

1.

Hue; color.

[Obs.]

Chaucer.

2.

Shape; form.

[Obs.]

Spenser.

 

© Webster 1913.

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