Hew

(hū), v. t. [imp. HEWED; p. p. HEWED, or HEWN; p. pr. & vb. n. HEWING.] [A-S. heawan, M. H. Ger. & D. houwen, O. H. Ger. houwan, N. H. Ger. hewen, Icel. höggva, Sw. hugga, Dan. hugge.] 1. To cut with an ax; to fell with a sharp instrument; — often with down, or off. And many strokes, though with a little ax, Hew down and fell the hardest oak. Shak. 2. To form or shape with a sharp instrument; — often with out; as, to hew out a sepulcher; hence, to form laboriously. [Rare.] I now pass my days, not studious nor idle, rather polishing old works than hewing out new ones. Pope. 3. To cut in pieces; to chop; to hack. Hew them to pieces; hack their bones asunder. Shak.