inkling

  • 1Inkling — In kling, n. A hint; an intimation. [1913 Webster] The least inkling or glimpse of this island. Bacon. [1913 Webster] They had some inkling of secret messages. Clarendon. [1913 Webster] …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 2inkling — [iŋk′liŋ] n. [ME ingkiling < inclen, to give an inkling of] 1. an indirect suggestion; slight indication; hint 2. a vague idea or notion; suspicion …

    English World dictionary

  • 3inkling — index clue, hint, inference, intimation, notion, perception, reference (allusion), suggestion …

    Law dictionary

  • 4inkling — c.1400, apparently from the gerund of M.E. verb inclen utter in an undertone, hint at, hint (mid 14c.), which is of unknown origin; perhaps related to O.E. inca doubt, suspicion …

    Etymology dictionary

  • 5inkling — [n] idea, clue conception, cue, faintest idea*, foggiest idea*, glimmering, hint, hot lead*, hunch*, impression, indication, innuendo, intimation, lead, notion, sneaking suspicion*, suggestion, suspicion, tip, tipoff, whisper; concept 689 …

    New thesaurus

  • 6inkling — ► NOUN ▪ a slight suspicion; a hint. ORIGIN from archaic inkle «say in an undertone» …

    English terms dictionary

  • 7inkling — n. 1) the faintest, slightest inkling 2) an inkling that + clause (I didn t have the slightest inkling that he was ill) * * * [ ɪŋklɪŋ] slightest inkling the faintest an inkling that + clause (I didn t have the slightest inkling that he was ill) …

    Combinatory dictionary

  • 8inkling — noun ADJECTIVE ▪ first ▪ The first inkling we had of Cliff s problem was when he didn t come to work. ▪ faintest, slightest ▪ We didn t have the slightest inkling of the dramatic news we were about to hear …

    Collocations dictionary

  • 9inkling — ink|ling [ˈıŋklıŋ] n [C usually singular] [Date: 1500 1600; Origin: Probably from inkle to say quietly, hint (1300 1400)] a slight idea about something →↑suspicion ▪ I had an inkling that she was pregnant. inkling of ▪ She had absolutely no… …

    Dictionary of contemporary English

  • 10inkling — in|kling [ ıŋklıŋ ] noun count a slight idea or small piece of information that tells you that something might exist or be happening: The first inkling that something was wrong came on Wednesday. have no inkling: I had no inkling how serious… …

    Usage of the words and phrases in modern English