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The Collaborative International Dictionary
Miscue

Miscue \Mis*cue"\, n.

  1. (Billiards) A false stroke with a billiard cue, the cue slipping from the ball struck without impelling it as desired.

  2. Hence: To make a mistake; especially to fail to execute a necessary or expected action at the proper time, such as making a play in sports, or saying one's line in a drama.

Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
miscue

1873, in billiards, "failure to strike the ball properly with the cue" from mis- (1) or perhaps miss (v.) + cue (2). General sense is attested from 1883.

Wiktionary
miscue

n. 1 (context sports English) In a cue sport, to make an error in hitting the ball with the cue. 2 (context theater English) The act of missing one's cue or of responding to a cue intended for another actor. 3 A miss of the object one intended to hit. vb. 1 (context theater English) To give an incorrect cue. 2 (context transitive English) to mishit, strike incorrectly.

WordNet
miscue
  1. n. a faulty shot in billiards; the cue tip slips off the cue ball

  2. a minor inadvertent mistake usually observed in speech or writing or in small accidents or memory lapses etc. [syn: slip, slip-up, parapraxis]

Usage examples of "miscue".

Ship could miscue in the strangest fashion, but it amused Gorgas that the AI thought it had a name.

Nothing but a huge pile of rocks wedged tightly in place by some miscue of the volcanic action.

Andacanavar tried to cover his miscue, turning quickly to the older man, the true master, but he found Jojonah wearing a similar doubting expression.

Sounds, illusory movement seen from the corner of the eye, a feeling about where the foe stood, all could cause a miscue that would give away a location, bringing sudden death.

This miscue was, in and of itself, nearly enough to send her into fits of giggles, but she managed to contain herself.

A close call, this was the first friendly fire episode of the war and an example of the miscues created by unconfirmed intelligence.

After a series of miscues the timing of the raid was delayed until daylight the next morning.

They are liable to start whole series of miscues because of a little thing like that.

The leather softened the impact of the stroke, reducing the number of miscues and giving her much better accuracy.

In any case, with true Saronese stupidity he has miscued Computer A-5.

The music was miscued, but she picked up instantly on the tempo and rhythm, and executed moves that put the Gloved One to shame.

To his amusement, his sober schoolmistress played like an enthusiastic child, scowling when she miscued, glowing with satisfaction when she potted a ball.

She could tell when that happened, watching confusion flicker over their faces at some miscued remark or expression.

In any case, with true Saronese stupidity he has miscued Computer A-5.

They are liable to start whole series of miscues because of a little thing like that.