n. & v.
--n.
1. a slight or indirect indication or suggestion (took the hint and left).
2 a small piece of practical information (handy hints on cooking).
3 a very small trace; a suggestion (a hint of perfume).
--v.tr. (often foll. by that + clause) suggest slightly (hinted the contrary; hinted that they were wrong).
Phrases and idioms:
hint at give a hint of; refer indirectly to.
Etymology: app. f. obs. hent grasp, lay hold of, f. OE hentan, f. Gmc, rel. to HUNT