mew

noun (1)

\ ˈmyü

Definition of mew

(Entry 1 of 5)

: gull especially : a small gull (Larus canus) of Eurasia and western North America

mew

verb (1)

mewed; mewing; mews

Definition of mew (Entry 2 of 5)

intransitive verb

: to utter a mew or similar sound gulls mewed over the bay

transitive verb

: to utter by mewing : meow

mew

noun (2)

Definition of mew (Entry 3 of 5)

: meow

mew

noun (3)

Definition of mew (Entry 4 of 5)

1 : an enclosure for trained hawks —usually used in plural

2 : a place for hiding or retirement

3 mews plural in form but singular or plural in construction chiefly British

a(1) : stables usually with living quarters built around a court

(2) : living quarters adapted from such stables

b : back street : alley

mew

verb (2)

mewed; mewing; mews

Definition of mew (Entry 5 of 5)

transitive verb

: to shut up : confine —often used with up

First Known Use of mew

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun (2)

1596, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for mew

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English mǣw; akin to Old Norse mār gull

Verb (1)

Middle English mewen, of imitative origin

Noun (3)

Middle English mewe, from Anglo-French mue, muwe, from muer to change, molt, from Latin mutare to change — more at mutable

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Time Traveler for mew

The first known use of mew was before the 12th century

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More Definitions for mew

mew

verb

\ ˈmyü

mewed; mewing

Kids Definition of mew

(Entry 1 of 2)

: to make a sound like a meow

mew

noun

Kids Definition of mew (Entry 2 of 2)

: meow entry 1

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