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.
Phrases and idioms:
hew one's way make a way for oneself by hewing.
Etymology: OE heawan f. Gmc