I. ˈsō verb
( sewed ; sewn ˈsōn ; or sewed ; sewing ; sews )
Etymology: Middle English sowen, sewen, from Old English sīwian, sēowian, sīwan, sēowan; akin to Old High German siuwen to sew, Old Norse sȳja, Gothic siujan, Latin suere to sew, Sanskrit sīvyati he sews
transitive verb
1.
a. : to unite, attach, or fasten by stitches made with a flexible thread or filament
sewed and embroidered the clothes and moccasins for the family — Weston La Barre
long swatches of fur … are sewn together to make a coat — Time
stand still while mother sews on the button
b. : to close or enclose by sewing
sew the money in a bag
with his money sewed into the lining of his coat
— often used with up
sewing up the tear in his trousers
orders to sew up the body in a canvas for the rites at sea
2. : to secure together (the sections of an assembled book) with thread or wire — distinguished from stitch
intransitive verb
: to practice or engage in sewing
is learning to sew in her home science course
specifically : to work with needle and thread
sews to earn extra money
II. ˈsü verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle French essever, essewer, sewer to drain — more at sewer
transitive verb
chiefly dialect : to drain the water from
intransitive verb
1. chiefly dialect : to ooze out
2. or sue of a ship : to become grounded