■ noun
1》 a coloured fluid used for writing, drawing, or printing.
2》 Zoology a black liquid ejected by a cuttlefish, octopus, or squid to confuse a predator.
■ verb
1》 write or mark with ~.
↘cover (type or a stamp) with ~ before printing.
2》 N. Amer. informal sign and secure (a contract).
Derivatives
~er noun
Origin
ME enke , ~e , from OFr. enque , via late L. from Gk enkauston , denoting the purple ~ used by Roman emperors for signatures, from enkaiein 'burn in'.