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n. 1. Games a. A long tapered stick with a leather tip used to strike the cue ball in billiards and pool. b. A long stick with a concave attachment at one end for shoving disks in shuffleboard. [French queue, tail, billiards cue (in the latter sense perhaps originally referring to the narrow leather-tipped end, or "tail," of the cue); see QUEUE.]  (click for a larger image) cue1shooting pool |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
n. 1. A signal, such as a word or action, used to prompt another event in a performance, such as an actor's speech or entrance, a change in lighting, or a sound effect. 2. a. A reminder or prompting. b. A hint or suggestion. 3. Music a. An extract from the music for another part printed, usually in smaller notes, within a performer's part as a signal to enter after a long rest. b. A gesture by a conductor signaling the entrance of a performer or part. 4. Psychology A stimulus, either consciously or unconsciously perceived, that elicits or signals a type of behavior. 5. Archaic One's assigned role or function. 6. Archaic A mood; a disposition. tr.v. cued, cu·ing, cues Phrasal Verb: 1. To give a cue to; signal or prompt. 2. To insert into the sequence of a performance: cued the lights for the monologue scene. 3. To position (an audio or video recording) in readiness for playing: cue up a record on the turntable. cue in To give information or instructions to, as to a latecomer. [Perhaps from q, qu, abbreviation of Latin quandō, when, used for actors' copies of plays; see kwo- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
n. The letter q. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
