In computer user interfaces, a cursor is an indicator used to show the current position for user interaction on a computer monitor or other display device that will respond to input from a text input or pointing device. The mouse cursor is also called a pointer,Mouse Pointer Behaves Erratically If Mouse Pointer Speed Is Set Above-Level Five owing to its resemblance in usage to a pointing stick.

<operating system> A feature (usually of {Graphical User Interfaces}) which causes the mouse pointer to leave a trail across the screen. This is done by keeping track of the last eight or so (maybe configurable) pointer positions, and only erasing the oldest. This means that at any time, there may be up to eight pointers on the screen, but if the mouse is still, they will all be in the same position, and so only one will be visible. When the mouse moves, it appears to leave a trail of pointers behind it, and this can dramatically increase the visibility of the pointer when using LCD screens. The older ones had such long persistence that a single mouse pointer, when moving, tended to be completely invisible, and on a cluttered screen, was very difficult to find. (1996-07-08)