English

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Etymology

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From Middle French intimation, from Latin intimatio.

Pronunciation

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Noun

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intimation (plural intimations)

  1. The act of intimating.
  2. The thing intimated.
  3. Announcement; declaration.
  4. A hint; an obscure or indirect suggestion or notice; a remote or ambiguous reference.
    • 1679, Gilbert Burnet, The History of the Reformation of the Church of England:
      Without mentioning the king of England, or giving the least intimation that he was sent by him.
    • 1862, Henry David Thoreau, Walking:
      At length, perchance, the immaterial heaven will appear as much higher to the American mind, and the intimations that star it as much brighter.
    • 1976 September, Saul Bellow, Humboldt’s Gift, New York, N.Y.: Avon Books, →ISBN, page 378:
      And actually I had important intimations to communicate as he faced the end. But intimations weren't much use.
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Translations

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References

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