intimation

American  

[in-tuh-mey-shuhn] / ˌɪn təˈmeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act of intimating, or making known indirectly.

2. a hint; suggestion.

   The death of his father was his first intimation of mortality.

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intimation British  

/ ˌɪntɪˈmeɪʃən /

noun

1. a hint or suggestion

2. rare an announcement or notice

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Etymology

Origin of intimation

First recorded in 1425–75; from French, from Late Latin intimātiōn-, stem of intimātiō, equivalent to intimāt(us), past participle of intimāre “to announce, make known” + -iō -ion ( def. ); see intimate ² ( def. )

Explanation

The noun intimation means a hint or an indirect suggestion. Your teacher's intimation that there could be a quiz the next day might send you into a panic, while your friend sitting beside you might not even notice. Intimation comes from the Latin word intimationem, which means an announcement. In English, intimation refers to a less direct form of communication. It's a suggestion or hint, rather than a blatant statement of fact. Your first intimation that your brother had a girlfriend was the amount of time he spent whispering into the phone. The second intimation was when he asked your parents for money for two movie tickets.

Example Sentences

Intimation had previously been given of my visit. 

From A Woman's Journey Round the World by Pfeiffer, Ida

If that wretch Talleyrand has Page 154 not given him some private Intimation to escape, and where to be safe, he must be a monster.

From The Diary and Letters of Madame D'Arblay — Volume 3 by Burney, Fanny

An Intimation, I suppose, of the three Tongues that he profess'd.

From Colloquies of Erasmus, Volume I. by Erasmus, Desiderius

Intimation of the permission was given on the Friday.

From South Africa and the Transvaal War, Vol. 3 (of 6) From the Battle of Colenso, 15th Dec. 1899, to Lord Roberts's Advance into the Free State, 12th Feb. 1900 by Creswicke, Louis

Intimation had been sent to the preceptory, and half-a-dozen of the brethren would be in upon him immediately, and a dreadful expos� would, of course, follow.

From Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland Volume 4 by Various