clue

clue
\ \ [15] Clue is a variant spelling of the now obsolete clewball of thread’, and its current application to ‘that which helps to solve a problem’, which originated in the early 17th century, is based on the notion of using (like Theseus in the Minotaur’s labyrinth) a ball of thread to show one the way out of an intricate maze one has entered. Clew itself goes back to Old English cliwan or cleowan, which may be related to claw.
\ \ Cf.CLAW

Word origins - 2ed. . 2005.

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  • Clue — may refer to: Cluedo (known as Clue in North America), a crime fiction board game Clue (video game), based on the board game Clue (musical), based on the board game Clue (book series), based on the board game Clue (film), based on the board game… …   Wikipedia

  • Clue — (kl[=u]), n. [See {Clew}, n.] A ball of thread; a thread or other means of guidance. Same as {Clew}. [1913 Webster] You have wound a goodly clue. Shak. [1913 Webster] This clue once found unravels all the rest. Pope. [1913 Webster] Serve as clues …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • clue — ► NOUN ▪ a fact or piece of evidence that helps to clarify a mystery or solve a problem. ► VERB (clues, clued, clueing) (clue in) informal ▪ inform. ● not have a clue Cf. ↑not have a clue …   English terms dictionary

  • clue in — clue (someone) in to give someone information they need or want. I asked David to clue us in on what needed to be done first. He hung the painting to clue in visitors that this was a different kind of place …   New idioms dictionary

  • clue — clue; clue·less; clue·less·ly; …   English syllables

  • clue — [n] hint, evidence cue, dead giveaway*, hot lead*, indication, inkling, intimation, key, lead, mark, notion, pointer, print, proof, sign, solution, suggestion, suspicion, telltale, tip, tip off*, trace, track, wind; concept 274 clue [v] give… …   New thesaurus

  • clue — [klo͞o] n. [var. of CLEW] something that leads out of a perplexity; esp., a fact or object that helps to solve a problem or mystery vt. clued, cluing 1. to indicate by or as by a clue ☆ 2. Informal to provide with the necessary information: often …   English World dictionary

  • clue — I noun data, evidence, finding, guide, hint, idea, index, indication, indicator, information, inkling, insinuation, intimation, key, lead, mark, reason to believe, scent, sign, signal, token II index catchword, hint (noun), hint (verb), indicant …   Law dictionary

  • clue — [kly] n. f. ÉTYM. 1956; mot provençal, de même origine que cluse. ❖ ♦ Géogr. et régional (rare). Cluse en canyon. || Les clues de Haute Provence …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Clue — clue, cluse, cluso nf enceinte fermée par des rochers escarpés; gorge fermée; passage resserré …   Glossaire des noms topographiques en France

  • Clue — trademark the US name for the game ↑Cluedo …   Dictionary of contemporary English

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