ink
(iŋk)
noun
- a colored liquid used for writing, drawing, etc.
- a sticky, colored paste used in printing; printer's ink
- Slang publicity, esp. in newspapers
- a dark, liquid secretion ejected by cuttlefish, octopuses, and squid to confuse or inhibit a predator
Origin: ME enke < OFr enque < LL encaustum < Gr enkauston, purple or red ink < enkaustos, burned in < enkaiein, to burn in < en-, in + kaiein, to burn < IE base *kai- > heat
transitive verb
- to cover with ink; spread ink on
- to mark, write, sign, draw, or color with ink: often with in
- Slang to sign one's name to
See ink in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
- A pigmented liquid or paste used especially for writing or printing.
- A dark liquid ejected for protection by most cephalopods, including the octopus and squid.
- Informal Coverage in the print media; publicity: Her campaign rallies generated a lot of ink.
- To mark, coat, or stain with ink.
- Informal To append one's signature to (a contract, for example).
Origin:
Origin: Middle English inke
Origin: , from Old French enque
Origin: , from Late Latin encaustum, purple ink
Origin: , from Greek enkauston, painted in encaustic
Origin: , from enkaiein, to paint in encaustic, burn in; see encaustic
.Related Forms:
- inkˈer noun
- inkˈi·ness noun
- inkˈy adjective
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