clue

Meanings

Noun

• A strand of yarn etc. as used to guide one through a labyrinth; something which points the way, a guide.
• Information which may lead one to a certain point or conclusion.
• An object or a kind of indication which may be used as evidence.
• Insight or understanding ("to have a clue [about]" or "to have clue". See have a clue, clue stick)

Verb

• To provide with a clue.
• To provide someone with information which he or she lacks (often used with "in" or "up").

Related

Similar words

• hint, indication, suggestion
• signature
• idea

Origin

• Variant of clew, from Middle English clewe, from Old English clīewen ("ball"), from Proto-Germanic *kliuwīną, *klewô, from Proto-Indo-European *glew- ("to amass, conglomerate; clump, ball, bale"). Sense evolution with reference to the one which the mythical Theseus used to guide him out of the Minotaur's labyrinth. More at clew.