Hew (hū), v. t. [imp.Hewed (hūd); p. p.Hewed or Hewn (hūn); p. pr. & vb. n.Hewing.] [AS. heáwan; akin to D. houwen, OHG. houwan, G. hauen, Icel. höggva, Sw. hugga, Dan. hugge, Lith. kova battle, Russ. kovate to hammer, forge. Cf. Hay cut grass, Hoe.] 1. To cut with an ax; to fell with a sharp instrument; — often with down, or off. Shak.
2. To form or shape with a sharp instrument; to cut; hence, to form laboriously; — often with out; as, to hew out a sepulcher.
Look unto the rock whence ye are hewn. Is. li. 1.
Rather polishing old works than hewing out new. Pope.
3. To cut in pieces; to chop; to hack.
Hew them to pieces; hack their bones asunder. Shak.