cue ball

the ball a player strikes with the cue, as distinguished from the other balls on the table.

Origin of cue ball

First recorded in 1880–85; cue² + ball¹

cudjo, cudlipp, cudweed, cudworth, cue, cue ball, cue bid, cue card, cue in, cue sheet, cue-bid

Somebody is liable to take your head off and use it for a cue-ball.

Skyrider |B. M. Bower
The second is where the cue-ball, while at rest, is in contact with another ball.

Every Boy's Book: A Complete Encyclopdia of Sports and Amusements |Various
Where the cue-ball, resting on the edge of a pocket, drops into it before the striker has time to play.

Every Boy's Book: A Complete Encyclopdia of Sports and Amusements |Various
Jacqueline had the cue-ball; it lay on the cloth in front of her, and her slim right hand covered it.

The Business of Life |Robert W. Chambers

We will suppose the cue-ball to be in hand, and the player desirous of securing a good “break.”

Every Boy's Book: A Complete Encyclopdia of Sports and Amusements |Various

cue ball

billiards snooker the ball struck by the cue, as distinguished from the object balls