Definition of mew
: gull;
especially
: a small gull (Larus canus) of Eurasia and western North America
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Origin and Etymology of mew
Middle English, from Old English mǣw; akin to Old Norse mār gull
NEW! Time Traveler
First Known Use: before 12th century
in the meaning defined above
See Words from the same yearDefinition of mew
: to utter a mew or similar sound
- gulls mewed over the bay
: to utter by mewing : meow
Origin and Etymology of mew
Middle English mewen, of imitative origin
NEW! Time Traveler
First Known Use: 14th century
in the meaning defined at intransitive sense
See Words from the same yearFirst Known Use of mew
1596
Definition of mew
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
Origin and Etymology of mew
Middle English mewe, from Anglo-French mue, muwe, from muer to change, molt, from Latin mutare to change — more at mutable
NEW! Time Traveler
First Known Use: 14th century
in the meaning defined at sense 1
See Words from the same yearFirst Known Use of mew
15th century
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