Hew Meaning, Definition, Pronunciation, Synonyms, Antonyms

Discover the full meaning of “Hew” with pronunciation, definitions, grammar usage, examples, synonyms, antonyms, origin, and more in this detailed dictionary article.

Word: Hew
Pronunciation: /hjuː/
Part of Speech: Verb (used with or without object)

Definitions & Meanings

1. To chop or cut something, especially wood, with an axe, pick, or other tool.
   Example: The lumberjacks hewed down the trees with ease.
2. To shape or form something by cutting or carving with heavy tools.
   Example: The statue was hewed from a block of granite.
3. (Figurative) To conform strictly or adhere closely (often used with “to”).
   Example: The judge’s opinion hewed to the letter of the law.

1. Mandarin Chinese (中文):

词语： 砍 (kǎn) / 开凿 (kāizáo)
定义： 用斧头或其他工具砍伐或雕刻某物；比喻严格遵守。
例子：他们用斧头砍树。

2. Arabic (العربية):

الكلمة: يَنْحَت / يَقْطَع
التعريف: أن يقطع أو ينحت شيئًا (كالحطب أو الحجر) باستخدام أدوات حادة؛ ويُستخدم مجازًا للتمسك بشيء بدقة.
مثال: قام الحطّاب بقطع الأشجار.

3. Hindi (हिन्दी):

शब्द: काटना / तराशना
परिभाषा: किसी वस्तु (जैसे लकड़ी या पत्थर) को कुल्हाड़ी या औज़ार से काटना या आकार देना; कभी-कभी किसी नियम का पालन करना।
उदाहरण: उसने कुल्हाड़ी से पेड़ काटा।

4. Spanish (Español):

Palabra: Talar / Labrar
Definición: Cortar o esculpir algo (como madera o piedra) con herramientas pesadas; también puede significar adherirse estrictamente a algo.
Ejemplo: Talaron los árboles para construir la casa.

5. Portuguese (Português):

Palavra: Talhar / Cortar
Definição: Cortar ou esculpir algo (como madeira ou pedra) com ferramentas pesadas; também pode significar seguir algo rigorosamente.
Exemplo: O escultor talhou a estátua em pedra.

6. Bengali (বাংলা):

শব্দ: কাটা / খোদাই করা
সংজ্ঞা: কুড়াল বা অন্যান্য যন্ত্র দিয়ে কিছু কাটা বা রূপ দেওয়া; প্রায়ই কঠোরভাবে অনুসরণ করাকেও বোঝায়।
উদাহরণ: কাঠুরে গাছ কাটছিল।

7. Russian (Русский):

Слово: тесать / рубить
Определение: Рубить или вырезать что-то с помощью тяжелых инструментов; также может означать строгое следование правилам.
Пример: Он тесал камень для статуи.

8. Japanese (日本語):

単語： 切る / 彫る（きる / ほる）
定義： 斧や道具で木や石などを切る・彫ること；比喩的に規則に忠実であることも示す。
例：彫刻家は石から像を彫った。

9. French (Français):

Mot : Tailler / Découper
Définition : Couper ou sculpter quelque chose à l’aide d’un outil lourd ; peut aussi signifier suivre quelque chose strictement.
Exemple : Il a taillé la pierre pour faire une statue.

10. Odia (ଓଡ଼ିଆ):

ଶବ୍ଦ: କଟିବା / ଖୋଦିବା
ପରିଭାଷା: କୁଲାଡ଼ି କିମ୍ବା ଅନ୍ୟ ଉପକରଣ ଦ୍ୱାରା କୌଣସି ଜିନିଷ (ମାନେ କାଠ ବା ପାଥର) କଟିବା ବା ଖୋଦିବା; କେବେ କେବେ କୌଣସି ନିୟମ କିମ୍ବା ଆଦର୍ଶକୁ କଠୋର ଭାବରେ ଅନୁସରଣ କରିବା ଅର୍ଥରେ ବ୍ୟବହାର ହୁଏ।
ଉଦାହରଣ: ସେ ଗଛ କଟିଲେ।

Synonyms

• Chop
• Hack
• Carve
• Cut
• Shape
• Ax
• Sculpt
• Hew down
• Cleave (in the sense of cutting)

Antonyms

• Build
• Join
• Combine
• Assemble
• Repair
• Mend
• Construct

Grammar Rules & Usage

• Forms:
  • Base Form: Hew
  • Past Simple: Hewed
  • Past Participle: Hewn or Hewed (both are acceptable; “hewn” is more common in literary or formal usage)
  • Present Participle/Gerund: Hewing
  • Third-person Singular: Hews
• Transitive vs. Intransitive:
  • Transitive: “They hewed the logs into shape.”
  • Intransitive: Rare but possible in figurative senses, e.g., “She always hews to tradition.”

Etymology (History & Origin)

• Origin:
  Old English heawan (verb), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch houwen and German hauen, meaning “to cut” or “strike.”
  It has Indo-European roots connected to the idea of striking or cutting with force.
• Historical Use:
  The term has been in English use since before the 12th century and was originally used in reference to chopping wood or striking with force. Over time, figurative uses developed, especially in legal and political contexts where “to hew to” means to adhere strictly.

Examples in Sentences

1. The workers hewed the stone blocks to construct the ancient temple.
2. He hewed to the party line during the political debate.
3. The monument was hewn from a single slab of marble.
4. They hewed down trees to clear land for farming.
5. Her writing hews closely to the classic style of the 19th century.

Idioms & Phrases

• Hew to the line:
  Meaning: To follow or conform strictly to rules or standards.
  Example: Government officials must hew to the line of ethical conduct.
• Hew down:
  Meaning: To cut down, especially trees.
  Example: The forest was hewed down for development.

Related Words

• Hewn (adj.): Shaped or cut with heavy blows.
  Example: The cottage had a rustic look with hewn timber beams.
• Hack (v.): To cut with rough or heavy blows.

Modern Relevance

The word hew is somewhat formal and poetic in modern usage but still commonly used in literary writing, legal contexts (“hew to the rules”), and in historical or biblical references.

FAQs:

Q1. What does “hew” mean in English?
A1. “Hew” means to chop or cut something, especially wood or stone, or to conform strictly to something like rules or traditions.

Q2. How do you pronounce “hew”?
A2. “Hew” is pronounced as /hjuː/, rhyming with “few.”

Q3. What is the past tense of “hew”?
A3. The past tense is “hewed,” and the past participle can be “hewed” or “hewn.”

Q4. Is “hew” used in modern English?
A4. Yes, it is used in both literal and figurative senses, often in literature, legal language, and formal writing.

Q5. What are synonyms and antonyms of “hew”?
A5. Synonyms include chop, carve, and cleave. Antonyms include build, combine, and repair.