Cue (k), n. [ OF. coue, coe, F. queue, fr. L. coda, cauda, tail. Cf. Caudal, Coward, Queue.] 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.
Shak.
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 cueto fight, I should have known it
Without a prompter.
Shak.
5. Humor; temper of mind. [Colloq.]
Dickens.
6. A straight tapering rod used to impel the balls in playing billiards.
© Webster 1913.
Cue, v. t. To form into a cue; to braid; to twist.
© Webster 1913.
Cue, n. [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 cues?
Old Play.
© Webster 1913. | 
