1. [noun] (obsolete) A roughly spherical mass or body.
2. [noun] (archaic) A ball of thread or yarn.
3. [noun] Yarn or thread as used to guide one's way through a maze or labyrinth; a guide, a clue.
4. [noun] (nautical) 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 clew is the trailing corner relative to the wind direction.
5. [noun] (in the plural) The sheets so attached to a sail.
6. [noun] (nautical) (in the plural) The cords suspending a hammock.
7. [noun] Archaic form of clue.
8. [verb] (transitive) to roll into a ball
9. [verb] (nautical) (transitive and intransitive) to raise the lower corner(s) of (a sail)
10. [noun] A ball of yarn or cord or thread.
11. [noun] Evidence that helps to solve a problem.
12. [verb] Roll into a ball.
