ink
[ ingk ]
/ ɪŋk /
noun
a fluid or viscous substance used for writing or printing.
a dark, protective fluid ejected by the cuttlefish and other cephalopods.
Informal. publicity, especially in print media: Their construction plans got some ink in the local paper.
verb (used with object)
to mark, stain, cover, or smear with ink: to ink one's clothes.
Slang. to sign one's name to (an official document): We expect to ink the contract tomorrow.
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Origin of ink
1200–50; Middle English inke, enke < Old French enque < Late Latin encautum, variant of encaustum < Greek énkauston purple ink, noun use of neuter of énkaustos burnt in. See encaustic
OTHER WORDS FROM ink
Words nearby ink
injurious, injury, injury list, injury time, injustice, ink, ink ball, ink fountain, ink in, ink jet, ink sac
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for ink
British Dictionary definitions for ink
ink
/ (ɪŋk) /
noun
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
verb (tr)
to mark with ink
to coat (a printing surface) with ink
Derived forms of ink
inker, nounWord Origin for ink
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
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Scientific definitions for ink
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
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