I. ˈiŋk noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English enke, inke, from Old French enke, enque, from Late Latin encaustum ink (originally the purplish ink used by the late Roman emperors to sign their edicts), from neuter of Latin encaustus burned in, painted in encaustic, from Greek enkaustos — more at encaustic
1.
a. : a fluid or viscous material of various colors but commonly black or blue-black that is composed essentially of a pigment or dye in a suitable vehicle and is used for writing and printing — see indelible ink, printing ink , writing ink
b. : a similar solid preparation (as india ink)
2. : the black protective secretion of a cephalopod
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
1. : to cover or smear with ink : apply ink to or touch up with ink
2.
a. : to go over in ink — usually used with in or over
b. : to obliterate with ink — usually used with out
inked out many lines
c. : to write or draw in ink
inked their crosses to documents they had not the skill to read — G.M.Trevelyan
pointed out the neatly inked entry on the bill — Irwin Shaw
3.
a. : to affix one's signature to
the baseball player was offered a raise and readily inked his contract
b. : to sign to a contract
inked the players with little difficulty
III. noun
slang : publicity 2d