where does the word clew come from
The noun clue appeared as a variant spelling of clew, of same pronunciation. Not frequent until the 17th century, the form clue has become the prevailing form of the word in the sense of a fact or idea that serves to reveal something or solve a problem.The word is from Old English cliwen, cleowen, meaning a ball formed by winding yarn, twine or thread (it is still one of the meanings of clew).Of Germanic origin, it is related to Dutch kluwen and German Knaeuel, knÃ¤uel of same. meaninghe word is from Old English cliwen, cleowen, meaning a ball formed by winding yarn, twine or thread (it is still one of the meanings of clew). Of Germanic origin, it is related to Dutch kluwen and German Knaeuel, knÃ¤uel of same. meaning