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guide to the dictionary

clue¹

(kl)

Something that serves to guide or direct in the solution of a problem or mystery.

tr.v. clued, clue·ing or clu·ing, clues

To give (someone) guiding information: Clue me in on what's happening around the office.

[Variant of CLEW¹ (from Theseus's use of a ball of thread as a guide through the Cretan labyrinth).]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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