cluen.
/kluː/, /kljuː/, U.S. /klu/ 1. † b. A bunch or agglomeration of things. Obsolete.
a. A ball of yarn or thread; = clew n. 2.
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the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > thread or yarn > [noun] > ball of
clew956
bottom1440
clowchync1440
ball1572
clue1611
glome1643
yarn-clue1820
1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Pauli) II. 306 [reads] ‘She did him have A clue of threde’: but his spelling is normalized.]
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Ploton, a clue, or bottome of.
1660 T. Stanley Hist. Philos. III. v. 171 First roll up a great kind of Chaos, in manner of a great Vortex, (clue or bottom).
1794 A. Young Gen. View Agric. Suffolk (1797) 122 A common hand will do two skains a day, three of which are a clue at nine-pence.
1835 H. Miller Scenes & Legends N. Scotl. vii. 123 A small clue of yarn.
1855 C. Kingsley Heroes (1868) ii. 248 I will give you [Theseus] a clue of thread, and by that perhaps you may find your way out again.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > constitution of matter > density or solidity > [noun] > a dense or solid thing or body
clota1000
goba1382
massa1382
gobbetc1384
clustera1387
lumpa1400
grume1555
solidity1604
concrescence1610
concression1613
concretion1646
ponderant1656
condensation1665
clumper1673
clue1674
solid1698
clump1699
wodge1847
density1858
boulder1861
doorstop1967
swadge1968
the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being gathered together > an assemblage or collection > [noun] > mass formed by collection of particles > dense or compact
clota1000
massa1382
gobbetc1384
clustera1387
lumpa1400
wedge1577
loaf1598
knot1631
clumper1673
clue1674
clump1699
lob1825
wodge1847
nugget1851
density1858
1674 N. Fairfax Treat. Bulk & Selvedge 132 As unto the things thrown out by the hand, there is given forth a clue of springs, starts, and bearings.
1704 Dict. Rusticum at Bream Red-worms, especially such as are to be found at the Root of a great Dock, and ly wrapt up in a round Clue.
c1720 W. Gibson Farriers New Guide i. ii. 19 Their true Substance, which consists of a very fine Clue of Vessels.
2.
a. A ball of thread, employed to guide any one in ‘threading’ his way into or out of a labyrinth (see quot. 1393 at sense 1a) or maze; hence, in many more or less figurative applications, a fact, circumstance, or principle which, being taken hold of and followed up, leads through a maze, perplexity, difficulty, intricate investigation, etc.
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1605 M. Drayton Poems sig. Hh3 Loosing the clew which led vs safely in, [We] Are lost within this Labyrinth of lust.
1699 J. Pomfret On Marriage in Poems 66 And treads the maze of life without a clue.
1780 E. Burke Speech Oeconomical Reformation 44 The same clue of principle leads us through the labyrinth of the other departments.
1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. IV. 215 The nonjurors soon got hold of the clue, and followed it resolutely.
1875 W. Stubbs Constit. Hist. III. xviii. 68 The annalists..supply an imperfect clue to guide us through these obscurities.
b. With the literal sense obscured: That which points the way, indicates a solution, or puts one on the track of a discovery; a key. Esp. a piece of evidence useful in the detection of a crime.
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the mind > attention and judgement > answer > [noun] > solution, explanation > that which provides
keyeOE
explanation?a1475
master key1577
explanatory1650
cluea1665
clew1725
lead1851
solvent1865
accounting1885
a1665 K. Digby Jrnl. Voy. to Mediterranean (1868) Pref. p. xviii Seeking in the movements of the heavenly bodies for a clue to the accidents of life.
1798 J. Ferriar Illustr. Sterne 197 I expected to have found the clue to this romance.
1849 C. Brontë Shirley I. vii. 172 I have got a clue to the identity of one.
1886 F. Hume Myst. Hansom Cab (1888) i. 8 Another hansom cabman..gave a clue which will, no doubt, prove of value to the detectives in their search after the murderer.
1954 M. F. Rodell Myst. Fiction xi. 74 The unforeseeable and accidental last-minute clue which rescues the detective from his intellectual..predicament.
1959 Chambers's Encycl. IV. 238/1 The firearm literally scores its identity on each shell which leaves it, a vital clue at any scene involving firearms.
c. A recognized point or landmark, or a series of such, enabling one to trace out one's way.
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society > authority > control > [noun] > guidance > that which guides
lodestarc1374
clew1385
Palinurus1567
stern1577
thread1580
twist1580
sea-mark1589
Pole Star1590
cynosure1596
buoya1603
oracle1612
leading light1653
gospela1674
indexc1750
polar stara1774
pilot star1789
clue1840
guidance1841
guideline1917
breadcrumb trail1969
society > travel > aspects of travel > guidance in travel > [noun] > that which guides or leads > landmark
marka1398
landmark1570
waymark1611
clue1840
waymarker1867
1840 R. H. Barham Ghost in Ingoldsby Legends 1st Ser. 103 'Twere vain to stay Here in the dark without a single clue.
1843 E. Bulwer-Lytton Last of Barons I. i. ii. 37 She had lost all clue to her way homeward.
d. In a crossword puzzle, a sentence or phrase (often employing a definition, synonym, anagram, pun, etc.) serving to indicate a word or words to be inserted.
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society > leisure > entertainment > toy or plaything > puzzle > [noun] > crossword puzzle > clue
clue1914
upright1917
1914 N.Y. World 6 Dec. (‘Fun’) 6/2 Cross-Word Puzzle... Fill in the small squares with words corresponding to the list of clues.
1925 Punch 7 Jan. 6/1 The cross-word puzzle is a far more complicated affair than this, for all the actual letters are carefully removed from his sight, and nothing but tantalising clues and numbers are provided to enable him to discover their whereabouts.
1930 Times 1 Mar. 13/4 The Crossword Puzzle... To try one clue and to solve it is to set teeth in another.
e. Colloquial phrase not to have a clue: to have no idea; not to know; to be ignorant or incompetent.
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the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > want of knowledge, ignorance > unfamiliarity with, inexperience > lack skill or experience [verb]
unknowa1382
seeka1529
not to know the first thing about1856
not to have a clue1948
not to have a scooby1993
1870 E. C. Brewer Dict. Phrase & Fable 171/2 Clue. I have not yet got the clue; to give a clue, i.e. a hint.
1924 A. E. W. Mason House of Arrow ii. 20 That doesn't bring us any nearer to finding out what is Boris Waberski's strong suit... We haven't a clue to it.]
1948 E. Partridge et al. Dict. Forces' Slang 43 ‘He simply hasn't a clue’—he is completely ignorant of his job, or of what is going on.
1950 J. Cannan Murder Included iv. 59 As I believe they say nowadays, I haven't a clue.
1951 E. Hyams Sylvester ix. 37 ‘Sorry, old boy,’ he said. ‘I haven't a clue.’
1957 Listener 23 May 841/1 How valuable such sociological inquiries could be to local authorities, who usually haven't a clue.
1958 B. Hamilton Too Much of Water iv. 78 ‘Where is his cabin?’ ‘Haven't a clue,’ said Maurice.
1967 Times Rev. Industry Mar. 90/3 Professor Rose..does not seem to have had much of a clue as to what really went on in Central Office between 1957 and 1959.
3. Any figurative ‘thread’:
a. the thread of a discourse, of thought, of history, tendency, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > order, sequence, or succession > continuity or uninterruptedness > [noun] > continuous succession > a continuous series or course
seriousnessc1487
continuity1601
train1606
series1613
thread1642
continuum1650
clue1656
run1709
the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > faculty of ideation > topic, subject-matter > materials of topic > [noun] > of discourse
matterc1330
lessona1375
contenu1477
content1509
thema1531
commonplace1549
subject matter1598
text1608
clue1656
1656 R. Sanderson 20 Serm. Pref. §23 But how much farther it will reach, none can say; for no man yet ever saw the bottom of the clue.
1678 J. Norris Coll. Misc. (1699) 235 I am by the clue of Meditation further led to conclude.
1768 L. Sterne Sentimental Journey I. 131 I then tried to return [in thought] to the story of the poor German and his ass—but I had broke the clue.
1876 S. Birch Rede Lect. Egypt 13 Research which has..joined the broken clue of history from contemporaneous monuments.
b. The thread of life which the Fates are fabled to spin and determine.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > source or principle of life > [noun] > course or span of life
life-dayOE
year-daysOE
timeOE
dayOE
lifeOE
life's timeOE
livelihoodOE
yearOE
lifetimea1300
life-whilea1300
for (also to) term of (a person's) lifea1325
coursec1384
livingc1390
voyage1390
agea1398
life's dayc1425
thread1447
racea1450
living daysc1450
natural life1461
lifeness1534
twist1568
leasec1595
span1599
clew1615
marcha1625
peregrination1653
clue1684
stamen1701
life term1739
innings1772
lifelong1814
pass-through1876
inning1885
natural1891
life cycle1915
puff1967
1684 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Eclogues iv, in Misc. Poems 33 The Fates, when they this happy Web have spun, Shall bless the sacred Clue, and bid it smoothly run.
1726 E. Fenton in A. Pope et al. tr. Homer Odyssey V. xx. 250 Stranger! may fate a milder aspect shew, And spin thy future with a whiter clue!
4. Nautical. Of a sail: see clew n. 7.
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society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > equipment of vessel > masts, rigging, or sails > sail > [noun] > lower corner(s) of sail > clew
clue1599
clew1627
spectacle clew1863
1599 T. Nashe Lenten Stuffe 6 Spreading their drabled sailes in the full clue abroad a drying.
1774 Westm. Mag. 2 429 We're all Macaronies from earing to clue.
1829 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. 26 573 Let's over-haul Mr. Dibdin from clue to earing.
1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. Clue, Clue-garnet, Clue-line, etc.
5. Of a hammock: see clew n. 6.
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society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > furniture and fittings > bed > types of bed > [noun] > hammock > specific part
clue1751
clew1834
1751 T. Smollett Peregrine Pickle IV. cvii. 245 To trust yourself and your doxy to a clue and canvas.
6. Combinations: see clew n.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1891; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
cluev.
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the world > movement > progressive motion > order of movement > following behind > follow [verb (transitive)] > follow (a track or trail) > follow as by track or clue
clue1663
1663 J. Heath Flagellum (1672) 175 We have through these Labyrinths of his shifted Designs, now clued him to his lustful and adulterous Usurpation.
2. transitive. = clew v. 1.
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the world > space > shape > curvature > coil > [verb (transitive)] > into a fixed or constrained position
clewc1420
to coil up1774
clue1860
1860 M. Reid Quadrupeds (1868) 165 The power of clueing themselves up à la hedgehog.
3.
a. Nautical. to clue up: see clew v. 3.
ΚΠ
1762 W. Falconer Shipwreck ii. 21 Clued-up each top-sail, and by braces squar'd.
1806 A. Duncan Life Nelson 75 The sails were all clued up.
b. figurative. Cf. ‘wind up’.
ΚΠ
1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. Introd. 5 An afflicting malady..which..closed his valuable life, and clued up our arrangements.
4.
a. transitive. In a crossword puzzle or the like: to indicate by means of a clue (see clue n. 2d).
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society > leisure > entertainment > toy or plaything > puzzle > [verb (transitive)] > indicate by clue
clue1934
1934 Punch 17 Jan. 68/1 Four letters. I think they would clue them like this. ‘An article in the middle of a short railway.’
1967 Listener 22 June 835/1 The remaining lights are clued normally.
1967 Sci. Amer. Sept. 275/2 The Double-Crostic, in which the words of a literary quotation and the name of the author and his work are derived from words clued by cryptic definitions.
b. To inform, tell (someone); to provide with a clue; also with up. So to clue up: to get to know about; clued (up) participial adjective, informed, knowledgeable. slang.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > knowledge, what is known > [adjective] > knowledgeable, well-informed
knowinga1398
well-knowingc1425
scientc1475
advertised1481
well-informeda1500
scientive1575
callent1656
fly1811
knowledgeable1825
factful1853
dungeonable1855
knowful1855
woke up1871
in the know1883
to be jerry1908
hipped1920
wised-up1926
clueful1943
genned-up1945
clued (up)1948
society > communication > information > action of informing > give (information) [verb (transitive)] > inform (a person)
to teach a person a thingc888
meanOE
wiseOE
sayOE
wittera1225
tellc1225
do to witc1275
let witc1275
let seec1330
inform1384
form1399
lerea1400
to wit (a person) to saya1400
learn1425
advertise1431
givec1449
insense?c1450
instruct1489
ascertain1490
let1490
alighta1500
advert1511
signify1523
reform1535
advise1562
partake1565
resolve1568
to do to ware1594
to let into one's knowledge1596
intellect1599
possess1600
acquainta1616
alighten1615
recommenda1616
intelligence1637
apprise1694
appraise1706
introduce1741
avail1785
prime1791
document1807
to put up1811
to put a person au fait of1828
post1847
to keep (someone) straight1862
monish1866
to put next to1896
to put (one) wise (to)1896
voice1898
in the picture1900
to give (someone) a line on1903
to wise up1905
drum1908
hip1932
to fill (someone) in on1945
clue1948
background1961
to mark a person's card1961
to loop in1994
1948 ‘N. Shute’ No Highway v. 115 We've got to jump at this decision, now... We can clue up the official side later.
1955 J. I. M. Stewart Guardians 121 He's well clued up in all the Fontanay stuff.
1958 E. H. Clements Uncommon Cold i. 16 Keep me clued up about Remin's doings.
1958 J. D. MacDonald Executioners (1959) viii. 135 Usually I can come up with a clue. But I draw a big blank. Clue me, Louie.
1958 Ottawa Citizen 11 June 29/1 One officer described him as a ‘well-clued technical officer, well up on advanced mathematics, physics and electronics...’
1959 C. MacInnes Absolute Beginners 59 Clue me then, teenager. My big ears are flapping.
1959 C. MacInnes Absolute Beginners 64 You meet all kinds of cats..who can clue you up in all kinds of directions.
1970 ‘R. Crawford’ Kiss Boss Goodbye ii. vi. 94 ‘I don't know,’ I said. ‘Are you clued?’ ‘Nope.’
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1891; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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