ink

English Online Dictionary. What means ink‎? What does ink mean?

English

Etymology

From Middle English ynke, from Old French enque, from Latin encaustum (“purple ink used by Roman emperors to sign documents”), from Ancient Greek ἔγκαυστον (énkauston, “burned-in”), from ἐν (en, “in”) + καίω (kaíō, “burn”). In this sense, displaced native Old English blæc (“ink”, literally “black”).

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation, General American) enPR: ĭngk, IPA^(key): /ɪŋk/
• (pre-/ŋ/ tensing) IPA^(key): /iŋk/
• Homophone: inc.
• Rhymes: -ɪŋk

Noun

ink (usually uncountable, plural inks)

2. A pigment (or dye)-based fluid used for writing, printing etc.
3. (countable) A particular type, color or container of this fluid.
4. The black or dark-colored fluid ejected by squid, octopus etc, as a protective strategy.
5. (slang, uncountable) Publicity.

   Synonyms: ballyhoo, flak, hoopla, hype, plug, spotlight

   to get ink
6. (slang, uncountable) Tattoo work.

   Synonym: paint
7. (slang) Cheap red wine.

Alternative forms

• inke (obsolete)

Derived terms

Descendants

• → Japanese: インク (inku)
• → Korean: 잉크 (ingkeu)
• → Telugu: ఇంకి (iṅki)
• → Welsh: inc

Translations

Verb

ink (third-person singular simple present inks, present participle inking, simple past and past participle inked)

1. (transitive) To apply ink to; to cover or smear with ink.
2. (transitive) To sign (a contract or similar document).
3. (transitive) To apply a tattoo to (someone).
4. (intransitive, of a squid or octopus) to eject ink (sense 3)

Synonyms

• (sign): endorse, initial, inscribe, subscribe

Translations

See also

• dye
• atrament

Further reading

• ink on Wikipedia.Wikipedia

Anagrams

• -kin, -kin-, -nik, Kin, Nik, k'in, kin

Afrikaans

Etymology

From Dutch inkt.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /əŋk/

Noun

ink (plural inkte or inke)

1. ink

Verb

ink (present ink, present participle inkende, past participle geïnk)

1. to ink

Middle English

Pronoun

ink

1. Alternative form of inc