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Trail vs Clue - What's the difference?

trail | clue |

As a proper noun trail

is a city in british columbia.

As a noun clue is

a strand of yarn etc as used to guide one through a labyrinth; something which points the way, a guide.

As a verb clue is

to provide with a clue.

trail

English

Verb

(en verb)
  • (label) To follow behind (someone or something); to tail (someone or something).
  • (label) To drag (something) behind on the ground.
  • * 1922 , (Virginia Woolf), (w, Jacob's Room) Chapter 1
    • "I saw your brother—I saw your brother," he said, nodding his head, as Archer lagged past him, trailing his spade, and scowling at the old gentleman in spectacles.
  • (label) To leave (a trail of).
  • (label) To show a trailer of (a film, TV show etc.); to release or publish a preview of (a report etc.) in advance of the full publication.
  • To be losing, to be behind in a competition.
  • * {{quote-news, year=2011, date=December 29, author=Keith Jackson, work=Daily Record
    • , title= SPL: Celtic 1 Rangers 0 , passage=Neil Lennon and his players have, in almost no time at all, roared back from trailing Rangers by 15 points in November to ending the year two points clear.}}
  • (label) To carry (a firearm) with the breech near the ground and the upper part inclined forward, the piece being held by the right hand near the middle.
  • To flatten (grass, etc.) by walking through it; to tread down.
    • (Longfellow)
  • (label) To take advantage of the ignorance of; to impose upon.
  • * (1816-1855)
    • I presently perceived she was (what is vernacularly termed) trailing Mrs. Dent; that is, playing on her ignorance.

    Derived terms

    * trailer * trail off

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • The track or indication marking the route followed by something that has passed, such as the footprints of animal on land or the contrail of an airplane in the sky.
  • A route for travel over land, especially a narrow, unpaved pathway for use by hikers, horseback riders, etc.
  • A trailer broadcast on television for a forthcoming film or programme.

    • Synonyms

    * (track of an animal) spoor, sign * (route for travel over land) dirt track, footpath, path, track

    Derived terms

    * condensation trail, contrail * paper trail * sawdust trail * star trail * trail bike * trailblazer (see blazer) * trailblazing * trail mix * vapo(u)r trail

    See also

    * path * track

    Anagrams

    * * ----

    clue

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A strand of yarn etc. as used to guide one through a labyrinth; something which points the way, a guide.
  • * 1897 , Henry James, What Maisie Knew :
    • she had even had in the past a small smug conviction that in the domestic labyrinth she always kept the clue .
  • Information which may lead one to a certain point or conclusion.
  • An object or a kind of indication which may be used as evidence.
  • (slang) Insight or understanding ("to have a clue [about]" or "to have clue". See have a clue, clue stick)

    • Synonyms

    * (information which may lead one to a certain point or conclusion) hint, indication, suggestion * (object or indication which may be used as evidence) signature

    Derived terms

    * * clueless * cluestick / clue stick * cluey * have a clue * not have a clue

    See also

    * evidence * red herring

    Verb

  • To provide with a clue.
    • The crossword compiler wasn't sure how to clue the word "should".
  • To provide someone with information which he or she lacks (often used with "in" or "up").
    • Smith, clue Jones in on what's been happening.

    Derived terms

    * clued-in * clued-up