cue

Etymology 1

Form of Latin qū. First attested as Middle English cu for half a farthing, as an abbreviation for Latin quadrāns (“quarter of an as”).. Compare French qu.

noun

1. The name of the Latin-script letter Q.
   "My name is Quinn," said Quinn. "Cue-you-eye-en-en." 2008, John Clark Pratt, Vietnam Voices: Perspectives on the War Years, 1941–1975, page 315
2. (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.

Etymology 2

From earlier qu, abbreviation of Latin quandō (“when”), marked on actor's play copy where they were to begin.

noun

1. An action or event that is a signal for somebody to do something.
   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. November 3, 2011, Chris Bevan, “Rubin Kazan 1 - 0 Tottenham”, in BBC Sport
2. 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.
3. (electronics, computing) A marker or signal that triggers something, such as the start of an audio recording.
4. A hint or intimation.
   Give them [the servants] their cue to attend in two lines as he leaves the house.
5. (obsolete) Humour; temper of mind.

verb

1. To give someone a cue signal.
   Cue the cameraman, and action!
   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). May 27, 2012, 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
2. (by extension) To spark or provoke.
   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. 28 September 2016, Tom English, “Celtic 3–3 Manchester City”, in (Please provide the book title or journal name), BBC Sport

Etymology 3

Variant of queue, from French queue (“tail”).

noun

1. (sports, billiards, snooker, pool) A straight tapering stick used to hit the balls in various games.
2. (obsolete) The tail; the end of a thing; especially, a tail-like twist of hair worn at the back of the head; a queue.
   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. 1863, Sheridan Le Fanu, The House by the Churchyard

verb

1. (sports, billiards, snooker, pool) To take aim on the cue ball with the cue and hit it.
2. To form into a cue; to braid; to twist.