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.
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
"Ah, sympathetic ink," exclaimed John; "well, we will see."
From Andreas Hofer by Mühlbach, L. (Luise)
We have heard of the use of sympathetic ink in this country.
From The Better Germany in War Time Being some Facts towards Fellowship by Picton, Harold W. (Harold Williams)
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
The first page looked as if it had been written over with some sort of sympathetic ink; but not a word could be deciphered.
From Saxe Holm's Stories by Jackson, Helen Hunt
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.