rough-hew
Cut without finishing
To rough-hew is to shape something crudely, cutting away large portions without refining the details—hewing timber into beams, stone into blocks.
The past participle rough-hewn describes things left in this unfinished state: rough-hewn logs, a rough-hewn cabin.
Figuratively, rough-hewn characterizes people or things that are rugged, unpolished, or lacking refinement: his rough-hewn charm, a rough-hewn approach to diplomacy.
Summary of key elements
- sketchHasty informal drawing
- draftPreliminary version of text
- shapeExternal outline of something
- formShape or document
model · prototype · blueprint · framework · scaffolding · groundwork · nascent · formative
Unpolished, raw state
- rawIn original state
- unpolishedLacking finish or refinement
- unfinishedNot yet complete
- coarseRough in texture
unshaped · unfashioned · unprocessed · rugged · rustic · artless · uncut · natural
outline
Summary of key elements
form · model · prototype · blueprint · framework · scaffolding · groundwork · nascent · formative · embryonic
crude
Unpolished, raw state
- rawIn original state
- unpolishedLacking finish or refinement
- unfinishedNot yet complete
coarse · unshaped · unfashioned · unprocessed · rugged · rustic · artless · uncut · natural · primitive
timber
Wood for construction
log · adze · axe · broadaxe · chisel · mallet · carpentry · joinery · grain · sawn
block
Solid mass, or impede
granite · quarry · mason · stonework · hammer · point · pitching · carving · monolith · ashlar