cue

plural cues · alternative kue · alternative kew · alternative que

1. The name of the Latin script letter Q/q.

   "My name is Quinn," said Quinn. "Cue-you-eye-en-en."

   2008, John Clark Pratt, Vietnam Voices: Perspectives on the War Years, 1941–1975, page 315

2. UKobsoleteuniversitiesA small portion of bread or beer; the quantity bought with a farthing or half farthing and noted with a q (for Latin quadrāns (“farthing”)) in the buttery books.

plural cues

1. An action or event that is a signal for somebody to do something.

   This time Cudicini was left helpless when Natcho stepped up to expertly curl the ball into the top corner. That was the cue for further pressure from the Russian side and it took further Cudicini saves to keep the score down.

   2011 November 3, Chris Bevan, “Rubin Kazan 1 - 0 Tottenham”, in BBC Sport

2. The last words of a play actor's speech, serving as an intimation for the next actor to speak; any word or words which serve to remind an actor to speak or to do something; a catchword.

   When my cue comes, call me, and I will answer.

   c. 1595–1596 (date written), William Shakespeare, “A Midsommer Nights Dreame”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies: Published According to the True Originall Copies (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene i]

3. businessA marker or signal that triggers something, such as the start of an audio recording.
4. A hint or intimation.

   Give them [the servants] their cue to attend in two lines as he leaves the house.

   1731 (date written; published 1745), [Jonathan] Swift, Directions to Servants […], London: […] R[obert] Dodsley, […], and M. Cooper, […], →OCLC

5. obsoleteHumour; temper of mind.

present singular third person cues · participle present cueing · participle present cuing · participle past cued · past cued

1. To give someone a cue signal.

   Cue the cameraman, and action!

   1 more example

   The episode also opens with an inspired bit of business for Homer, who blithely refuses to acquiesce to an elderly neighbor’s utterly reasonable request that he help make the process of selling her house easier by wearing pants when he gallivants about in front of windows, throw out his impressive collection of rotting Jack-O-Lanterns from previous Halloweens and take out his garbage, as it’s attracting wildlife (cue moose and Northern Exposure theme song).

   2012 May 27, Nathan Rabin, “TV: Review: THE SIMPSONS (CLASSIC): “New Kid On The Block” (season 4, episode 8; originally aired 11/12/1992)”, in The Onion AV Club

2. broadlyTo spark or provoke.

   These techniques can cue an open dialogue with your interviewer.

   1 more example

   The teenager, as beloved a full-back as any in these parts since Danny McGrain was tearing it up, cut in, shot and saw his attempt deflected in off Sterling's boot. Cue more pandemonium.

   2016 September 28, Tom English, “Celtic 3–3 Manchester City”, in (Please provide the book title or journal name), BBC Sport

plural cues

1. ball gamesA straight tapering stick used to hit the balls in various games.
2. obsoleteThe tail; the end of a thing; especially, a tail-like twist of hair worn at the back of the head; a queue.

   1 more example

   Fat, short, radiant, General Chattesworth—in full, artillery uniform—was there, smiling, and making little speeches to the ladies, and bowing stiffly from his hips upward—his great cue playing all the time up and down his back, and sometimes so near the ground when he stood erect and threw back his head, that Toole, seeing Juno eyeing the appendage rather viciously, thought it prudent to cut her speculations short with a smart kick.

   1863, Sheridan Le Fanu, The House by the Churchyard

present singular third person cues · participle present cueing · participle present cuing · participle past cued · past cued

1. ball gamesTo take aim on the cue ball with the cue and hit it.
2. To form into a cue; to braid; to twist.

1. abbreviationacronymlawAcronym of clear and unmistakable error, a legal standard for appeal of a decision by a Board of Veterans Appeals in the United States.

plural Cues

1. countableuncountableA surname.
2. countableuncountableA small town and local government area (the Shire of Cue) in the Mid West region, Western Australia, named after Tom Cue.