hew Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb make or shape as with an axe
    hew out.
    • hew out a path in the rock
  2. verb strike with an axe; cut down, strike
    • hew an oak

WordNet

Hew transitive verb
Etymology
AS. heáwan; akin to D. houwen, OHG. houwan, G. hauen, Icel. höggva, Sw. hugga, Dan. hugge, Lith. kova battle, Russ. kovate to hammer, forge. Cf. Hay cut grass, Hoe.
Wordforms
imperfect Hewed ; past participle Hewed or Hewn ; present participle & verbal noun Hewing
Definitions
  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.
Hew noun
Definitions
  1. Destruction by cutting down. Obs.
    Of whom he makes such havoc and such hew. Spenser.
Hew noun
Definitions
  1. Hue; color. Obs. Chaucer.
  2. Shape; form. Obs. Spenser.

Webster 1913