Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Cue
1.
The tail; the end of a thing; especially, a tail-like twist of hair worn at the back of the head; a queue.
2.
The last words of a play actor’s speech, serving as an intimation for the next succeeding player to speak; any word or words which serve to remind a player to speak or to do something; a catchword.
When my
cue
comes, call me, and I will answer. Shakespeare
3.
A hint or intimation.
Give them [the servants] their
cue
to attend in two lines as he leaves the house. Swift.
4.
The part one has to perform in, or as in, a play.
Were it my
Without a prompter.
cue
to fight, I should have known itWithout a prompter.
Shakespeare
5.
Humor; temper of mind.
[Colloq.]
Dickens.
6.
A straight tapering rod used to impel the balls in playing billiards.
Cue
,Verb.
T.
To form into a cue; to braid; to twist.
Cue
,Noun.
[From
q
, an abbreviation for quadrans
a farthing.] A small portion of bread or beer; the quantity bought with a farthing or half farthing.
[Obs.]
☞ The term was formerly current in the English universities, the letter q being the mark in the buttery books to denote such a portion.
Nares.
Hast thou worn
Gowns in the university, tossed logic,
Sucked philosophy, eat
Gowns in the university, tossed logic,
Sucked philosophy, eat
cues
? Old Play.
Webster 1828 Edition
Cue
CUE
,Noun.
1.
The tail; the end of a thing; as the long curl of a wig, or a long roll of hair.2.
The last words of a speech, which a player, who is to answer, catches and regards as an intimation to begin. A hint given to an actor on the stage, what or when to speak.3.
A hint; an intimation; a short direction.4.
The part which any man is to play in his turn.Were it my cue to fight.
5.
Humor; turn or temper of mind. [Vulgar.]6.
A farthing, or farthings worth.7.
The straight rod, used in playing billiards.