Word of the Day

Saturday, January 01, 2000

segue

\SEG-way; SAYG-way\ , intransitive verb;

To proceed without interruption; to make a smooth transition.

noun:

An instance or act of segueing; a smooth transition.

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Quotes:

The gratifying thing about McCourt is that he can drop his professional character act and segue into a smart, emotionally direct conversation faster than you can say "Top o' the morning."

-- "Malachy Mccourt: How a Rogue Becomes a Saint", New York Times, July 29, 1998

A melody will start innocuously enough, then segue into the inevitable buildup, with swelling strings and bursting brass.

-- "Woe to Shows That Put On Operatic Airs", New York Times, July 20, 1997

Addie later recalled her host's charming segue to topics more pleasant.

-- Gary Kinder, Ship of Gold in the Deep Blue Sea

Origin:

Segue is from the Italian, meaning "there follows," from seguire, "to follow," from Latin sequi.