Word: hew (verb)

Associations

The word "hew" means to cut or shape something, usually with a tool like an axe or a knife. It is often used when talking about cutting wood or stone.

• "The carpenter hewed the wooden beams to build the house." This means the carpenter cut and shaped the wood.
• "They hewed a path through the dense forest." This means they cut through the trees to make a way.
• "He hewed the stone to make a statue." This means he shaped the stone by cutting it.

A similar word is "cut," but "hew" usually means cutting with effort and shaping something, often by chopping. "Cut" is more general and can mean any kind of cutting.

Substitution

Instead of "hew," you can say:

• "chop" – more forceful, like chopping wood.
• "carve" – more about shaping with detail, like carving a statue.
• "cut" – general word for separating or shaping by cutting.

The choice changes the meaning slightly. For example, "carve" suggests more careful shaping, while "chop" suggests rough cutting.

Deconstruction

The word "hew" comes from Old English "heawan," meaning to strike or cut with a tool. It is a simple verb without prefixes or suffixes. The root idea is to strike or cut, especially with an axe or similar tool.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a time when you or someone else had to hew something, like cutting wood or shaping an object?
• How is "hew" different from simply "cut" in your experience?
• In what situations would you prefer to use "hew" instead of "chop" or "carve"? Why?