The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Hew \Hew\ (h[=u]), v. t. [imp. Hewed (h[=u]d); p. p. Hewed
   or Hewn (h[=u]n); p. pr. & vb. n. Hewing.] [AS.
   he['a]wan; akin to D. houwen, OHG. houwan, G. hauen, Icel.
   h["o]ggva, Sw. hugga, Dan. hugge, Lith. kova battle, Russ.
   kovate to hammer, forge. Cf. Hay cut grass, Hoe.]
   1. To cut with an ax; to fell with a sharp instrument; --
      often with down, or off. --Shak.
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   2. To form or shape with a sharp instrument; to cut; hence,
      to form laboriously; -- often with out; as, to hew out a
      sepulcher.
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            Look unto the rock whence ye are hewn. --Is. li. 1.
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            Rather polishing old works than hewing out new.
                                                  --Pope.
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   3. To cut in pieces; to chop; to hack.
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            Hew them to pieces; hack their bones asunder.
                                                  --Shak.
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