hint

[[t]hɪnt[/t]]

n.

1) an indirect, covert, or helpful suggestion; clue

2) a very slight or hardly noticeable amount:

a hint of garlic in the salad dressing[/ex]

3) a perceived indication; intimation:

a hint of spring in the air[/ex]

4) Obs. an occasion or opportunity

5) to give a hint of:

gray skies hinting a possible snowfall[/ex]

6) to subtly imply (usu. fol. by at):

The facts hinted at a solution to the problem[/ex]

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Etymology: 1595–1605; orig., opportunity, occasion, appar. var. of obs. hent grasp, act of seizing, der. of ME henten to grasp, take, OE hentan hint′er, n. syn: hint, intimate, insinuate, suggest denote the conveying of an idea to the mind indirectly or without full or explicit statement. To hint is to convey an idea covertly or indirectly, but in a way that can be understood: She hinted that she would like a bicycle for her birthday. To intimate is to give a barely perceptible hint, often with the purpose of influencing action: He intimated that a conciliation was possible. To insinuate is to hint artfully, often at what one would not dare to say directly: Someone insinuated that the defendant was guilty. suggest denotes recalling something to the mind or starting a new train of thought by means of association of ideas: Her restlessness suggested that she wanted to leave.