Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun nautical Outermost of the ropes with which a square sail is rolled up to the yard

Etymologies

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Examples

  • When I returned with the fresh pin, I screwed it into the shackle, clipped on the clewline, and sung out to the men to take a pull on the rope.

    The Ghost Pirates 2007

  • As I walked across to the starboard clewline, I saw that the Old Man was on deck, and as I took hold of the rope, I heard him sing out to the Second Mate.

    The Ghost Pirates 2007

  • Williams sent me down for another pin, while he unbent the clewline, and overhauled it down to the sheet.

    The Ghost Pirates 2007

  • Be smart now and rig-out that clewline there to the brace-block at the end of the yardarm.

    Crown and Anchor Under the Pen'ant John B. [Illustrator] Greene

  • The clewline gave way at the first pull; the cleat to which the halyards were belayed was wrenched off, and the sail blew round the spritsail yards and head guys, which gave us a bad job to get it in.

    Chapter XXXIII. Cracking on-Progress Homeward-A Pleasant Sunday-A Fine Sight-By-Play 1909

  • She had evidently more on her than she could bear; yet it was in vain to try to take it in—the clewline was not strong enough; and they were thinking of cutting away, when another wide yaw and a come-to, snapped the guys, and the swinging boom came in, with a crash, against the lower rigging.

    Chapter XXXIII. Cracking on-Progress Homeward-A Pleasant Sunday-A Fine Sight-By-Play 1909

  • When I returned with the fresh pin, I screwed it into the shackle, clipped on the clewline, and sung out to the men to take a pull on the rope.

    The Ghost Pirates: Chapter 5 1909

  • Williams sent me down for another pin, while he unbent the clewline, and overhauled it down to the sheet.

    The Ghost Pirates: Chapter 5 1909

  • As I walked across to the starboard clewline, I saw that the Old Man was on deck, and as I took hold of the rope, I heard him sing out to the Second Mate.

    The Ghost Pirates: Chapter 10 1909

  • "The main-topgallant clewline," I answered, casting my eye aloft to note the "lead" of the rope.

    The Congo Rovers A Story of the Slave Squadron Harry Collingwood 1886

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