chink Hear it!

chink¹ Definition

chink (c̸hiŋk)

noun

a narrow opening; crack; fissure; slit

Etymology: ME chine, with unhistoric -k: see chine

transitive verb

  1. to close up the chinks in
  2. Obsolete to form chinks in

chink² Definition

chink (c̸hiŋk)

noun

  1. a sharp, clinking sound, as of coins striking together
  2. Slang coin or cash

Etymology: echoic

intransitive verb, transitive verb

to make or cause to make a sharp, clinking sound

Chink Definition

Chink (c̸hiŋk)

noun, adjective

Slang Chinese: a contemptuous or patronizing term no longer much used

Etymology: prob. altered < China or Chinese

chink Usage Examples

Object

glass: We are surrounded by warmth, laughter and chinking glasses.

Converse of object

  • find: Scoring a hit with a +3 finds a chink in the armor.
  • see: Contact us if you think you see a chink of light for a steady job in this for you - or a near relative.
  • spot: I could spot the chinks by what wasn't said, or faltered.
  • show: Ladder 49 would have been so much more interesting if it had dared to show a chink or two in Jack's armor.
  • have: The extension is lighter and, tho still introspective, has friendly chinks in its armor.

Adjective modifier

  • tiny: It was the tiny chink in the armor through which the giant could be pierced.
  • small: They could not get out, because Penaumbe had closed the window and the door, and had stopped up even the smallest chinks.
  • first: The first chinks in Leeds United's armor are turning into worrying holes.
  • little: Open up little chinks in the illusion of what the world is.
  • only: The only chink of light comes from the new 24 hour coach service between London and Birmingham operated by National Express.
  • few: This said there were a few chinks of light in the figures to signify some better news.

Possessives

sound: But the main thing I remember is the ' chink, chink, chink ' sound as everyone joined in bashing down the wall.

Preposition: in

  • armor: In fact to ensure there were no chinks in the armor I read the book, the best man's checklist.
  • wall: No, it is rather like a single ray of the sun passing through a chink in a wall.
  • armor: Scoring a hit with a +3 finds a chink in the armor.

Preposition: of

  • light: The holes where there were chinks of light coming through the trees started to become like gun shots.
  • glass: Suddenly we could hear voices, a sort of loud murmur with laughter, chatter, footsteps and the chink of glasses.
  • hope: Does that give Leigh a chink of hope that they too could pull off the shock of the season?
  • daylight: It was a chink of daylight during a dark time.