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cursor

noun
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cur·​sor | \ ˈkər-sər How to pronounce cursor (audio) , -ˌsȯr \

Definition of cursor

: a movable item used to mark a position: such as
a : a transparent slide with a line attached to a slide rule
b : a visual cue (such as a flashing vertical line) on a video display that indicates position (as for data entry)

Examples of cursor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Then, instead of moving the cursor within the text box itself, place your finger on the space bar. — David Nield, Popular Science, "24 hidden Android settings you should know about," 17 Jan. 2020 Simply press and hold on the keyboard and the cursor will automatically become a mouse-like trackpad. — Marc Saltzman, USA TODAY, "Got a new (or used) iPhone: Here's some tips and tricks to make the most of it," 26 Oct. 2019 Everyday tasks like opening applications, dragging windows, activating the search interface, and even just moving the cursor around are all noticeably faster than in 19.04. — Scott Gilbertson, Ars Technica, "Ubuntu 19.10: It’s fast, like “make old hardware feel new” fast," 27 Nov. 2019 Hover your cursor over each county to see their damage award, their taxpayers prospective liability for the damages, and the net proceeds to each county. — oregonlive, "Failing forestry: With $1 billion timber lawsuit, not all 14 counties are big winners," 26 Nov. 2019 Electrodes implanted in a part of the brain involved in motion have allowed some paralyzed patients to move a cursor and select onscreen letters with their thoughts. — Eva Frederick, Science | AAAS, "Top stories: Life after dinosaurs, Neanderthal planning, and Russia’s CRISPR babies," 25 Oct. 2019 Her pupil acts much like the cursor and mouse to work the software. — Dana Hedgpeth, Washington Post, "She finished a triathlon, then a drunk driver left her paralyzed. She hopes an experimental treatment has answers.," 27 Sep. 2019 Clifford scans the folder, moves the cursor over a file and highlights it. — Roy Parry, orlandosentinel.com, "Magic coach Steve Clifford offers behind-the-scenes look at film study he believes is key to success," 25 Sep. 2019 The first paralyzed person to receive a brain implant that allowed him to control a computer cursor was Matthew Nagle. — Elizabeth Lopatto, The Verge, "Elon Musk unveils Neuralink’s plans for brain-reading ‘threads’ and a robot to insert them," 17 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cursor.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of cursor

1594, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for cursor

borrowed from Latin cursor "runner, courier," from currere "to run" + -tor, agent suffix — more at current entry 1

Note: For cursor as agent noun of currere in place of expected *co(r)stor see note at course entry 1. As with other Latin deverbal derivatives, the zero grade ablaut of the past participle has been generalized with all suffixes ending in -t-.

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Time Traveler for cursor

Time Traveler

The first known use of cursor was in 1594

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Statistics for cursor

Last Updated

14 Feb 2020

Cite this Entry

“Cursor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cursor. Accessed 19 Feb. 2020.

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More Definitions for cursor

cursor

noun
How to pronounce cursor (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of cursor

: a mark on a computer screen that shows the place where information is being entered or read

See the full definition for cursor in the English Language Learners Dictionary

cursor

noun
cur·​sor | \ ˈkər-sər How to pronounce cursor (audio) , -ˌsȯr \

Kids Definition of cursor

: a symbol (as an arrow or blinking line) on a computer screen that shows where the user is working

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More from Merriam-Webster on cursor

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with cursor

Spanish Central: Translation of cursor

Nglish: Translation of cursor for Spanish Speakers

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