hew
UK: hjuː | US: hjuː
vt. to cut or shape (something) with a tool such as an axe or chisel
vt. to adhere strictly to a rule, principle, or style (archaic/formal)
The word "hew" traces back to Old English hēawan, meaning "to cut, strike, or chop." It shares roots with Germanic languages (e.g., Old High German houwan, German hauen) and Proto-Indo-European kew-, meaning "to hew, strike." Originally describing physical cutting, it later acquired figurative uses (e.g., "hew to a principle"). The word’s simplicity reflects its ancient, action-oriented origin.
The lumberjack hewed the tree trunk into planks.
Medieval sculptors hewed statues from marble blocks.
(Archaic) They hewed strictly to the traditions of their ancestors.
The artist hewed a rough shape from the stone.
Ancient tools were used to hew pathways through the forest.