v. (past part. hewn or hewed) 1 tr. a (often foll. by down, away, off) chop or cut (a thing) with an axe, a sword, etc. b cut (a block of wood etc.) into shape. 2 intr. (often foll. by at, among, etc.) strike cutting blows. 3 intr. US (usu. foll. by to) conform. hew one's way make a way for oneself by hewing.
[ OE heawan f. Gmc ]