clews

A roughly spherical mass or body.

A ball of thread or yarn.

Yarn or thread as used to guide one's way through a maze or labyrinth; a guide, a clue.

The lower corner(s) of a sail to which a sheet is attached for trimming the sail (adjusting its position relative to the wind); the metal loop or cringle in the corner of the sail, to which the sheet is attached. (on a triangular sail) The trailing corner relative to the wind direction.

(in the plural) The sheets so attached to a sail.

(in the plural) The cords suspending a hammock.

A strand of yarn etc. as used to guide one through a labyrinth; something which points the way, a guide.

Information which may lead one to a certain point or conclusion.

An object or a kind of indication which may be used as evidence.

Insight or understanding ("to have a clue [about]" or "to have clue". See have a clue, clue stick)