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  1. clue love

Definitions

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

  1. n. Something that serves to guide or direct in the solution of a problem or mystery.
  2. v. To give (someone) guiding information: Clue me in on what's happening.
  3. n. Variant of clew1.
  4. v. Variant of clew1.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

  1. n. A ball or skein of thread or yarn.
  2. n. The thread or yarn that is wound into the form of ball; thread in general.
  3. n. Hence Anything that guides or directs one in an intricate case; a guide or key to the solution of a puzzle or problem, or the unraveling of a plot or mystery: in allusion to the mythological story that Theseus was guided by a clue of thread through the Cretan labyrinth.
  4. n. A measure of yarn or hemp, 4,800 yards.
  5. n. Nautical, a lower corner of a square sail or the aftmost corner of a fore-and-aft sail.
  6. Nautical, to haul up to the yard (the lower corners of a topsail, topgallantsail, or royal) by means of the clue-lines: used with up.
  7. To direct, as by a clue or thread.

Wiktionary

  1. n. A strand of yarn etc. as used to guide one through a labyrinth; something which points the way, a guide.
  2. n. Information which may lead one to a certain point or conclusion.
  3. n. An object or a kind of indication which may be used as evidence.
  4. v. To provide with a clue (often used with "in" or "up").
  5. v. To provide someone with information which he or she lacks.

GNU Webster's 1913

  1. n. A ball of thread; a thread or other means of guidance. Same as clew.

WordNet 3.0

  1. n. a slight indication
  2. n. evidence that helps to solve a problem
  3. v. roll into a ball

Etymologies

  1. Variant of clew, "a ball of thread or yarn", with reference to the one which the mythical Theseus used to guide him out of the Minotaur's labyrinth. (Wiktionary)
  2. Variant of clew1 (from Theseus's use of a ball of thread as a guide through the Cretan labyrinth). (American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition)

Examples

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Lists

These user-created lists contain the word ‘clue’.

Comments

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  • ruzuzu See hammock. Sep 24, 2010

  • sarra Ooh yes. I only learnt that last year. Brilliant bit of hidden language. May 3, 2008

  • fbharjo Mr Green in the conservatory with a candlestick - just stringing things along ( look up the etymology of clue) May 3, 2008

  • dontcry We so do! May 3, 2008

  • reesetee "That is not my dog."

    Aaaahaha! We slay ourselves! May 3, 2008

  • dontcry "Ouch!"

    "I thought you said your dog didn't bite!?"

    *snorting with anticipation!* May 2, 2008

  • reesetee Hahaha! One of my favorite scenes!

    "No, my dog does not bite." May 2, 2008

  • dontcry See, now what you've done. Cluedo (I assume long "o") makes me think of 'Clouseau,' *snort* which always leads *snort, chortle* fits of irrational exuberance in me.

    "Does your dog bite?"

    *over come by apoplectic fit of laughter*
    Gasp,help...! May 2, 2008

  • sarra Clue the board game is known as Cluedo in its home country. (a pun on ludo) May 2, 2008

  • gangerh Well, I had a bit of a clue but I dropped it and reesetee picked it up. Oh, and perhaps see isihac, shag pile and the list clueless balls for the full connect. However, avoid the page schadenfreudgeon for it's a cred herring. May 1, 2008

  • dontcry HAR! May 1, 2008

  • reesetee You mean...(wait for it)....

    You haven't a clue? May 1, 2008

  • gangerh I'm sorry but I don't have this word listed. May 1, 2008

  • seanahan It was a great movie. Feb 14, 2008

  • jennarenn Clue got expanded into a movie at some point in the 80s. It's the only movie I know of with three different endings. Feb 13, 2008

  • treeseed Clue is a crime fiction board game originally published by Waddingtons in the United Kingdom in 1948. It was devised by Anthony E. Pratt, a solicitor's clerk and part-time clown from Birmingham, England. It is now published by the United States game and toy company Hasbro, which acquired its U.S. publisher Parker Brothers as well as Waddingtons.

    The game is set in a mansion, with the board divided into different rooms. The players each represent a character who is a guest staying at this house, whose owner, Dr. Black (Mr. Boddy in the North American version), has been found murdered. Players attempt to solve the murder. The solution to the murder requires the three components of Suspect, Weapon, and Room.

    _Wikipedia Feb 12, 2008

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‘clue’ has been looked up 3251 times, added to 29 lists, commented on 16 times, and has a Scrabble score of 6.