from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Hew \Hew\ (h[=u]), v. t. [imp. {Hewed} (h[=u]d); p. p. {Hewed}
or {Hewn} (h[=u]n); p. pr. & vb. n. {Hewing}.] [AS.
he['a]wan; akin to D. houwen, OHG. houwan, G. hauen, Icel.
h["o]ggva, Sw. hugga, Dan. hugge, Lith. kova battle, Russ.
kovate to hammer, forge. Cf. {Hay} cut grass, {Hoe}.]
1. To cut with an ax; to fell with a sharp instrument; --
often with down, or off. --Shak.
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2. To form or shape with a sharp instrument; to cut; hence,
to form laboriously; -- often with out; as, to hew out a
sepulcher.
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Look unto the rock whence ye are hewn. --Is. li. 1.
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Rather polishing old works than hewing out new.
--Pope.
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3. To cut in pieces; to chop; to hack.
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Hew them to pieces; hack their bones asunder.
--Shak.
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