[hint] n [prob. alter. of obs. hent act of seizing, fr. hent vb.] (1604) 1 archaic: opportunity, turn
2. a: a statement conveying by implication what it is preferred not to say explicitly b: an indirect or summary suggestion "helpful ~s"
3: a slight indication of the existence, approach, or nature of something: clue
4: a very small amount: suggestion
[2]hint vt (1648): to convey indirectly and by allusion rather than explicitly "a suspicion that she scarcely dared to ~" ~ vi: to give a hint--usu. used with at syn see suggest -- hint.er n