Clew1, n.
(klū), n. [A-S. cleowo, cleowen, cliwen, clive, D. kluwen, klouwen, kloen, M. Ger. klew, O. H. Ger. chliuo, chliuoa, chliwia, H. Ger. diminutive kleuel, kleul, knäuel; akin to Lat. globus and glomus.]
Sense 1. A ball of thread. “Untwisting his deceitful clew.” Spenser.
Sense 2. The thread that is used to guide a person in a labyrinth. “Guided by some clew of heavenly thread.” Roscommon.
Sense 3. That which guides or directs one in any thing of a doubtful or intricate nature.
The clew without which it was perilous to enter the vast and intricate maze of continental politics, was in his hands. Macaulay.
Sense 4. (Naut.) The lower corner of a square-sail, and the aftmost corner of a fore-and-aft sail. Totten.
[This word is also written clue.]