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chink

 - 7 dictionary results

chink

1  [chingk]
Use chink in a Sentence
–noun
1. a crack, cleft, or fissure: a chink in a wall.
2. a narrow opening: a chink between two buildings.
–verb (used with object)
3. to fill up chinks in.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME; perh. chine 1 + -k suffix (see -ock )

Synonyms:
1. breach, rent, cut.

chink

2  [chingk]
–verb (used with object), verb (used without object)
1. to make, or cause to make, a short, sharp, ringing sound, as of coins or glasses striking together.
–noun
2. a chinking sound: the chink of ice in a glass.
3. Slang. coin or ready cash.
Origin:
1565–75; imit.

Chink

  [chingk]
–noun (sometimes lowercase) Slang: Disparaging and Offensive.
a Chinese.
Origin:
1900–05; earlier Chinkie appar. alter. of China, Chinese by assoc. with chink 1 (from the stereotypical Western image of Chinese as narrow-eyed); see -ie
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To chink
chink 1   (chĭngk)   
n.  A narrow opening, such as a crack or fissure.
tr.v.   chinked, chink·ing, chinks

  1. To make narrow openings in.

  2. To fill narrow openings in.


[Probably alteration of obsolete chine, from Middle English, crack, from Old English cine.]
chink'y adj.
chink 2   (chĭngk)   
n.  A slight, metallic sound, as of coins rattling in a pocket.
intr. & tr.v.   chinked, chink·ing, chinks
To make or cause to make a slight, metallic sound.

[Imitative.]
Chink   (chĭngk)   
n.   Offensive Slang
Used as a disparaging term for person of Chinese birth or descent.

[Probably alteration of Chinese.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

chink 
"slit," 1535, from M.E. chine (with parasitic -k) from O.E. cinu "fissure," related to cinan "to crack, split, gape," from PIE base *gei-, *gi- "to germinate, bloom," connection being in the notion of bursting open. The unrelated derogatory slang word for "a Chinaman" first recorded 1901.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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