ink

[ ingk ]

noun

1. a fluid or viscous substance used for writing or printing.
2. a dark, protective fluid ejected by the cuttlefish and other cephalopods.
3. Slang. a tattoo or tattoos:

   Oh, nice, you got new ink!

4. Informal. publicity, especially in print media:

   Their construction plans got some ink in the local paper.

verb (used with object)

1. to mark, stain, cover, or smear with ink:

   to ink one's clothes.

2. Informal. to sign one's name to (an official document):

   We expect to ink the contract tomorrow.

verb (used with or without object)

1. Slang. to mark (the skin) with tattoos:

   The team agreed that they would all get inked if they brought home the championship this year.

ink

/ ɪŋk /

noun

1. a fluid or paste used for printing, writing, and drawing
2. a dark brown fluid ejected into the water for self-concealment by an octopus or related mollusc from a gland ( ink sac ) near the anus

verb

1. to mark with ink
2. to coat (a printing surface) with ink

ink

/ ĭngk /

1. A dark liquid ejected for protection by most cephalopods, including the octopus and squid. Ink consists of highly concentrated melanin.

Derived Forms

• ˈinker, noun

Other Words From

• ink·er noun
• ink·less adjective
• ink·like adjective
• re·ink verb (used with object)
• un·inked adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ink¹

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English inke, inc, enke, from Old French enca, enque, ancre, from Late Latin encautum, variant of encaustum “burnt in, painted in,” from Greek énkauston “purple ink (used for imperial signatures),” noun use of neuter of énkaustos “burnt in”; encaustic

Word History and Origins

Origin of ink¹

C13: from Old French enque, from Late Latin encaustum a purplish-red ink, from Greek enkauston purple ink, from enkaustos burnt in, from enkaiein to burn in; see en- ², caustic

Example Sentences

Each person who has cast their ballot then has their little finger marked with indelible ink to prevent voting a second time.

From BBC

Written using quill and ink, the letter dated 4 September 1892 reveals the names of three engineers who installed a new type of light in the 30ft tower.

From BBC

The lettering in swirling ink is slightly unclear, but the card appears to be addressed to Mrs Olive Dakin of 2 Albemarle Place, Newmarket Road, Norwich.

From BBC

The election board added that for mail-in ballots in Kentucky if more than one candidate choice is marked in ink, then the ballot will still be counted if the voter circles their preferred choice.

From BBC

“I am feeling pretty good. Every bit of our operation has gone very smoothly,” Natalie Adona, the registrar of voters in Nevada County, said Monday morning, despite having to buy a jeweler’s loop to see the flea-sized ink specks spoiling as many as 10% of mailed ballots.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• appoint
• bring in
• draft
• employ
• engage
• enlist
• lease
• obtain
• pick
• promise
• rent
• retain
• select