sympathetic ink
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of sympathetic ink
First recorded in 1715–25
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Cobalt, dissolved in aqua regia, makes an excellent sympathetic ink, appearing green when held to the fire, and disappearing when cold, unless it has been heated too much, when it burns the paper.
From Heads of Lectures on a Course of Experimental Philosophy: Particularly Including Chemistry by Priestley, Joseph
By way of variation the chosen word may be produced with the sympathetic ink, or it may be revealed by the method employed in "A New Postal Trick."
From Magic In which are given clear and concise explanations of all the well-known illusions as well as many new ones. by Stanton, Ellis
Your highness," returned the courier, "the dispatches are secret, and written with sympathetic ink.
From Prince Eugene and His Times by Mühlbach, L. (Luise)
But this was only a blind; the real letters were written in cipher, with sympathetic ink.
From Mr. Fortescue An Andean Romance by Westall, William
Might there not be something written in sympathetic ink?
From The Naval History of the United States Volume 1 by Abbot, Willis J. (Willis John)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.