ink
a fluid or viscous substance used for writing or printing.
a dark, protective fluid ejected by the cuttlefish and other cephalopods.
Slang. a tattoo or tattoos: Oh, nice, you got new ink!
Informal. publicity, especially in print media: Their construction plans got some ink in the local paper.
to mark, stain, cover, or smear with ink: to ink one's clothes.
Informal. to sign one's name to (an official document): We expect to ink the contract tomorrow.
Slang. to mark (the skin) with tattoos: The team agreed that they would all get inked if they brought home the championship this year.
Origin of ink
1Other words from ink
- ink·er, noun
- ink·less, adjective
- ink·like, adjective
- re·ink, verb (used with object)
- un·inked, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for ink
/ (ɪŋk) /
a fluid or paste used for printing, writing, and drawing
a dark brown fluid ejected into the water for self-concealment by an octopus or related mollusc from a gland (ink sac) near the anus
to mark with ink
to coat (a printing surface) with ink
Origin of ink
1Derived forms of ink
- inker, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for ink
[ ĭngk ]
A dark liquid ejected for protection by most cephalopods, including the octopus and squid. Ink consists of highly concentrated melanin.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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