CLUE • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Clue

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noun

Clue, Clew n.

A ball of thread, yarn, or cord; also, The thread itself. "Untwisting his deceitful clew."

That which guides or directs one in anything of a doubtful or intricate nature; that which gives a hint in the solution of a mystery. "The clew, without which it was perilous to enter the vast and intricate maze of countinental politics, was in his hands."

(Naut.)

(a)

A lower corner of a square sail, or the after corner of a fore-and-aft sail.

(b)

A loop and thimbles at the corner of a sail.

(c)

A combination of lines or nettles by which a hammock is suspended.

Clew garnet (Naut.), one of the ropes by which the clews of the courses of square-rigged vessels are drawn up to the lower yards.

Clew line (Naut.), a rope by which a clew of one of the smaller square sails, as topsail, topgallant sail, or royal, is run up to its yard.

Clew-line block (Naut.), The block through which a clew line reeves.

Clue n. A ball of thread; a thread or other means of guidance. Same as Clew. "You have wound a goodly clue." "This clue once found unravels all the rest." "Serve as clues to guide us into further knowledge."

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Etymology of 'Clue'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Clue" Quotes from Famous Books

... someone—you know who I mean—who mysteriously disappeared. That interests you, I see. It's very difficult; such people don't let themselves be dropped upon by chance a second time. But, do you know, I have something very like a clue, at last. Yes'—she nodded ...

— The Whirlpool • George Gissing

... which follow each other like the notes in the musical scale. It is our own experience that is there portrayed, both present and prospective. What we as individuals, and nations are now going through in our efforts for betterment, is told in the story of Genesis. More than this, the clue to assured betterment is found there also. This experience is on two lines which are always distinct but never separate—the male and the female. These are indissolubly bound together "from the beginning," ...

— The Woman's Bible. • Elizabeth Cady Stanton

... 'precise meaning.' You surely don't want me to see that you're rather losing your temper and trying to cover it up by being dignified. You've been so careful with your effects, too! . . . I said 'Ah,' because you'd given me the clue I was looking for. You were a very clever ...

— The Education of Eric Lane • Stephen McKenna

... Atmospheric effects may be seen there that are unobtainable without the combustion of soft coal. Talk, for example, as much as you please about the electric sky-signs of Broadway—not all of them together will write as much poetry on the sky as the single word "Illinois" that hangs without a clue to its suspension in the murky dusk over Michigan Avenue. The visionary aspects of ...

— Your United States - Impressions of a first visit • Arnold Bennett

... Ned at last, "have you actually no clue at all? No suspicion of any kind? Haven't you got on the track of any possible reason for ...

— Simon • J. Storer Clouston

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