lewis

From Middle English lewis, of uncertain origin. Possibly from Old French lous, plural of lou, loup (“the name of a kind of siege engine”, literally “wolf”); or related to clevis.

• IPA^(key): /ˈluːɪs/
• Hyphenation: lew‧is

lewis (plural lewises)

1. A cramp iron inserted into a cavity in order to lift heavy stones; used as a symbol of strength in Freemasonry.
2. (by extension, figuratively) The son of a Freemason, envisaged as assisting his father in heavy work or in old age.
3. A kind of shears used in cropping woollen cloth.
   • 1835, Andrew Ure, The philosophy of manufactures (page 203)

     After the preeming period, the lads are put either to the gig-machines, or to the lewises in the cutting or shearing-room.

• Liews, Weils, Wiles, lweis, wesil, wiles