ink

[ingk]

noun

1. a fluid or viscous substance used for writing or printing.

2. a dark, protective fluid ejected by the cuttlefish and other cephalopods.

3. Slang.,  a tattoo or tattoos.

   Oh, nice, you got new ink!

4. Informal.,  publicity, especially in print media.

   Their construction plans got some ink in the local paper.

verb (used with object)

1. to mark, stain, cover, or smear with ink.

   to ink one's clothes.

2. Informal.,  to sign one's name to (an official document).

   We expect to ink the contract tomorrow.

verb (used with or without object)

1. Slang.,  to mark (the skin) with tattoos.

   The team agreed that they would all get inked if they brought home the championship this year.

ink

/ ɪŋk /

noun

1. a fluid or paste used for printing, writing, and drawing

2. 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

verb

1. to mark with ink

2. to coat (a printing surface) with ink

ink

1. A dark liquid ejected for protection by most cephalopods, including the octopus and squid. Ink consists of highly concentrated melanin.

Other Word Forms

• inker noun
• inkless adjective
• inklike adjective
• reink verb (used with object)
• uninked adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ink¹

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English inke, inc, enke, from Old French enca, enque, ancre, from Late Latin encautum, variant of encaustum “burnt in, painted in,” from Greek énkauston “purple ink (used for imperial signatures),” noun use of neuter of énkaustos “burnt in”; encaustic

Word History and Origins

Origin of ink¹

C13: from Old French enque, from Late Latin encaustum a purplish-red ink, from Greek enkauston purple ink, from enkaustos burnt in, from enkaiein to burn in; see _en- ², _caustic

Example Sentences

The Mets missed the playoffs after a season so disappointing it’s not worth the ink.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He has also inked sharks — a symbol of Pomona 12th Street — across his hand and collarbone and the words “Fins Up” on his lips.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The ink looks thick but fluid, like she’s drawing with a paintbrush.

Read more on Literature

A shock of black hair spilled across his forehead like ink.

Read more on Literature

Penelope could scarcely believe that it did not run out of ink after a few words, as a quill pen always did.

Read more on Literature

Related Words

• impression 
• imprint 
• line 
• point 
• record 
• scar 
• score 
• signature 
• spot 
• stain 
• stamp 
• streak 
• symbol