clue; beginning; to infer the whole picture
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesnoun
clue; beginning; thread of a matter; hint of what is to come
literaryUsed in formal or literary contexts to refer to the first signs, clues, or general outline of something (often complex or hidden).
The case is complex, and so far the police have not found any clues.
The beginnings of this crisis were already apparent several years ago.
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This matter is unpredictable, with no clues to be found.
verb
to infer the whole picture; to deduce the beginning and end; to speculate on the entirety
literaryRefers to the act of inferring or deducing the complete course, origin, and outcome of something from partial information. Often used with '不可' (cannot) to describe unpredictability.
The will of heaven is hard to predict; the wonder of its changes cannot be fathomed.
People's hearts are unfathomable; their true intentions are often difficult to infer.
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The development of history is full of contingencies, and its脉络 sometimes truly cannot be deduced.