I. ˈhint noun
( -s )
Etymology: probably alteration of obsolete hent act of seizing — more at hent
1. archaic : an occasion that can be taken advantage of : opportunity
look about you ere the hint be past — Alexander Ross
2.
a. : a suggestion for action given in an indirect or summary manner
a list of helpful hints for new students
b. : a statement conveying by implication what it is preferred not to say explicitly
dropping hints … of something mysterious and important about to happen — Sherwood Anderson
his failure for some years to declare himself definitely in the struggle against the Nazis laid him open to … hints of cowardice — H.J.Muller
3. : a usually slight indication of the approach, existence, or nature of something : sign , forewarning, clue
when the … beat of a tom-tom rose without hint or introduction — William Beebe
I can give only a hint of the treasures to be found in the … museum — Dana Burnet
4. : a very small amount : suggestion
friendly and cheerful with just the right hint of respect — Margaret Kennedy
: suspicion
carry out this task … without hint of favoritism — Peyton Boswell
: dash
turnip greens seasoned with a hint of vinegar
a hint of nutmeg and a suspicion of orange-flower water — Elinor Wylie
5. Scotland : moment , instant
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
transitive verb
1. : to seek to convey by a hint : to bring to mind by a slight reference or allusion rather than a full or explicit expression
hint a suspicion
hinted that he would like to be invited
your father hinted that the school wasn't good enough for you — Mary Austin
2. : to indicate or reveal in the manner of a hint
mighty ruins around the city hint a better past — Curtis Dahl
: presage , foreshadow , suggest
a cool, bright day, hinting Indian summer — John Muir
3. : to cause to go by hinting : send by a hint
hint them along tactfully … toward the stuff that counts — Christopher Morley
intransitive verb
1. : to make an indirect suggestion, allusion, or reference : give a hint
hint broadly for the coveted invitation
the face of the old retainer hinted of things still untold — T.B.Costain
— usually used with at
finally caught on to what he was hinting at
little gusts of wind hinted at the storm to follow
2. Scotland : to go about slyly or furtively especially in order to further one's own interests : slink about or watch quietly
Synonyms: see suggest
III. adjective
( -er/-est )
Etymology: by alteration
Scotland : hind
IV. preposition
Scotland : behind
V. noun
( -s )
1. Scotland : back , rear
2. Scotland : a furrow left between two ridges in plowing
VI. intransitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Scotland : to plow up the furrow that is left to the last between two ridges : finish a ridge in plowing