clue

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A strand of yarn etc. as used to guide one through a labyrinth; something which points the way, a guide.

   she had even had in the past a small smug conviction that in the domestic labyrinth she always kept the clue.

2. 2
   noun

   Information which may lead one to a certain point or conclusion.

   Give me a clue because the question is too vague.

3. 3
   noun

   An object or a kind of indication which may be used as evidence.

   The detectives were looking for some clues at the scene of the crime.

4. 4
   noun

   Insight or understanding ("to have a clue [about]" or "to have clue". See have a clue, clue stick)

   I had little clue that I was being carefully monitored by the CCTV.

5. 5
   verb

   To provide with a clue.

   The crossword compiler wasn't sure how to clue the word "should".

6. 6
   verb

   To provide someone with information which they lack (often used with "in" or "up").

   Smith, clue Jones in on what's been happening.

7. 7
   verb

   Alternative form of clew.

   If the lee-side of the sail were clued up, the risk would be small compared with what it would be were the sheet nearly aft and the whole sail full of wind on starting the tack.

8. 8
   noun

   evidence that helps to solve a problem

Etymology

Variant of clew (“a ball of thread or yarn”), from Middle English clew, clewe, clowe, clue, clwe, clyw, clywe, from Old English clēowen, clīewen, clīowen, clīwen, clȳwe, clȳwen (“ball, sphere; skein”), from Proto-West Germanic *kliuwīn (“ball, clump”), from Proto-Germanic *kliuwīną, *klewô (“bale, ball, clump, mass”), from Proto-Indo-European *glew- (“to ball up, clump together; lump, swelling”). Sense evolution with reference to the one which the mythical Theseus used to guide him out of the Minotaur's labyrinth. More at clew. Cognates Cognate with Cimbrian khnaul (“ball of yarn”), Dutch kluw…