Cue

(kū), n. [O. Fr. coue, coe, now queue, Pr. coa, It. coda, from Lat. cauda, tail.]

1Sense 1. The tail; the end of a thing; especially, a tail-like twist of hair worn at the back of the head.

2Sense 2. The last words of a play actor’s speech, regarded as a hint for the next succeeding player to speak.

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

3Sense 3. Any hint or intimation; also the part one is to perform.

Were it my cue to fight, I should have known it Without a prompter. Shak.

Secretly fomented by some Papists who stood behind the curtain, but ready to step on the stage had success of the design but given them the cue of entrance. Fuller.

The servant takes his cue, and flies. Whitehead.

4Sense 4. [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. Mares.

Hast thou worn Gowns in the university, tossed logic, Sucked philosophy, eat cues? Old Play.

5Sense 5. The straight rod used in playing billiards.

v. t. To form into or like a tail; to twist. More.