intimation definition | Dictionary.com

in⋅ti⋅mate

2 [in-tuh-meyt]

–verb (used with object), -mat⋅ed, -mat⋅ing.

1.	to indicate or make known indirectly; hint; imply; suggest.

2.	Archaic. to make known; announce.

Origin:
1530–40; < LL intimātus, ptp. of intimāre to impress (upon), make known, equiv. to intim(us) inmost (see intima ) + -ātus -ate ¹

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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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in·ti·mate² (ĭn'tə-māt') Pronunciation Key
tr.v. in·ti·mat·ed, in·ti·mat·ing, in·ti·mates

To make known subtly and indirectly; hint. See Synonyms at suggest.
To announce; proclaim.

[Latin intimāre, intimāt-, to make known, from intimus, innermost; see en in Indo-European roots.]

in'ti·mat'er n., in'ti·ma'tion n.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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intimation
noun
1.	an indirect suggestion; "not a breath of scandal ever touched her" [syn: hint]
2.	a slight suggestion or vague understanding; "he had no inkling what was about to happen" [syn: inkling]

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
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Intimation

In`ti*ma"tion\, n. [L. intimatio: cf. F. intimation.]

1. The act of intimating; also, the thing intimated.

2. Announcement; declaration. --Macaulay.

They made an edict with an intimation that whosoever killed a stork, should be banished. --Holland.

3. A hint; an obscure or indirect suggestion or notice; a remote or ambiguous reference; as, he had given only intimations of his design.

Without mentioning the king of England, or giving the least intimation that he was sent by him. --Bp. Burnet.