clue

柯林斯詞典

1. N-COUNT A clue to a problem or mystery is something that helps you to find the answer to it. (解決問題或疑團時的) 線索
Geneticists in Canada have discovered a clue to the puzzle of why our cells get old and die. 加拿大的遺傳學家已經(jīng)發(fā)現(xiàn)了解開我們細胞衰老死亡之迷的線索。
2. N-COUNT A clue is an object or piece of information that helps someone solve a crime. (破案中的) 線索
The vital clue to the killer's identity was his nickname, Peanuts. 關(guān)于殺手身份的重大線索是他的綽號——花生。
3. N-COUNT A clue in a crossword or game is information which is given to help you to find the answer to a question. (縱橫字謎或游戲中的) 提示
Give me a clue. What's it begin with?
給我點提示。是什么開頭？
4. PHRASE If you haven't a clue about something, you do not know anything about it or you have no idea what to do about it. 毫無頭緒[非正式]
I haven't a clue what I'll give Carl for his birthday next year. 對于明年該送什么生日禮物給卡爾我毫無頭緒。

The police found a vital clue to the girl's disappearance in a wooded area near her home .
Forensic scientists are going over the victim's flat in a search for clues about the murderer .
The police are collecting clues in order to piece together the details of the day she died .
He pored over the letter searching for clues about the writer .
The police tried to reconstruct the crime using the statements of witnesses and clues that they had found .