Part of Speech

Verb

Pronunciation

/hjuː/

Definitions

• To cut or chop something, especially wood or stone, with repeated blows of a cutting tool.
• To shape or form something by cutting.
• To adhere strictly to a rule or principle.

Usage Examples

• "The carpenter hewed the logs into beams for the cabin."
• "The statue was hewn from a single block of marble."
• "He hews closely to his principles in business."

Etymology

From Old English hēawan ("to cut, chop, hew"), related to German hauen ("to strike, chop").

Synonyms

• Chop
• Cut
• Carve
• Hack
• Sculpt

Antonyms

• Assemble
• Construct
• Build
• Attach

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

In American English, "hew" is pronounced with a long "u" sound, whereas in some British dialects, the "h" is softened.

Historical Usage

Historically, "hew" was commonly used in reference to manual woodcutting and stone carving, particularly in medieval craftsmanship.

Cultural Nuances

In literary and philosophical contexts, "hew" is often used metaphorically to describe strict adherence to a principle or path.

More Information

Hewing has been a fundamental human activity since ancient times, with evidence of early tools dating back to prehistoric civilizations. The term also appears in various idiomatic expressions, such as "hew to the line," meaning to conform strictly to a standard.