ink

(iŋk)

noun

  1. a colored liquid used for writing, drawing, etc.
  2. a sticky, colored paste used in printing; printer's ink
  3. Slang publicity, esp. in newspapers
  4. 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

  1. to cover with ink; spread ink on
  2. to mark, write, sign, draw, or color with ink: often with in
  3. Slang to sign one's name to

See ink in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. A pigmented liquid or paste used especially for writing or printing.
  2. A dark liquid ejected for protection by most cephalopods, including the octopus and squid.
  3. Informal Coverage in the print media; publicity: Her campaign rallies generated a lot of ink.
transitive verb inked, ink·ing, inks
  1. To mark, coat, or stain with ink.
  2. 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

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Related Forms:

  • inkˈer noun
  • inkˈi·ness noun
  • inkˈy adjective

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