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Form of Latin qū. First attested as Middle Englishcu for half a farthing, as an abbreviation for Latinquadrāns(“quarter of an as”).[1][2] Compare French qu.
The Oxford English Dictionary lists obsolete forms cu (15th century) and qu (pl. ques), que, kue, kewe (16th century), with the current form cue dating from the 16th century. Webster's Third New International Dictionary lists cue (pl. cues), kue (pl. kues) and ku (pl. kus) as current. There is also a form kew in recent use, and que continues to be used.
2008, John Clark Pratt, Vietnam Voices: Perspectives on the War Years, 1941–1975, page 315:
"My name is Quinn," said Quinn. "Cue-you-eye-en-en."
(obsolete,UK, universities) A 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.
An action or event that is a signal for somebody to do something.
2011 November 3, Chris Bevan, “Rubin Kazan 1 - 0 Tottenham”, in BBC Sport:
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.
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.
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 Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, :
When my cue comes, call me, and I will answer.
(electronics,computing) A marker or signal that triggers something, such as the start of an audio recording.
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:
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).
These techniques can cue an open dialogue with your interviewer.
2016 September 28, Tom English, “Celtic 3–3 Manchester City”, in (Please provide the book title or journal name), BBC Sport:
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.
(obsolete) The tail; the end of a thing; especially, a tail-like twist of hair worn at the back of the head; a queue.
1863, Sheridan Le Fanu, The House by the Churchyard:
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.
^ “cue noun (1), .”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present: “ the letter q / [History and Etymology] Middle English cu half a farthing (spelled form of q, abbreviation for Latin quadrans quarter of an as)”
^ “cue noun (2) and verb (1), .”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present: “probably from qu, abbreviation (used as a direction in actors' copies of plays) of Latin quando when”
