ink

¹ink

noun, often attributive \ˈiŋk\

Definition of INK

1

: a colored usually liquid material for writing and printing

2

: the black protective secretion of a cephalopod

3

slang : publicity 2d

— ink·i·ness \ˈiŋ-kē-nəs\ noun

— inky \ˈiŋ-kē\ adjective

Examples of INK

1. Fill out the form using blue or black ink.
2. The printer is out of ink.
3. We're using four different inks for this poster.

Origin of INK

Middle English enke, from Anglo-French encre, enke, from Late Latin encaustum, from neuter of Latin encaustus burned in, from Greek enkaustos, verbal of enkaiein to burn in — more at encaustic

First Known Use: 13th century

Rhymes with INK

blink, brink, chink, clink, dink, drink, fink, gink, jink, kink, link, mink, pink, plink, prink, rink, shrink, sink, skink, slink, stink, swink, sync, think, wink, zinc

²ink

transitive verb

Definition of INK

1

: to put ink on <ink a pen>; also : to draw or write on in ink

2

a : sign 2a <inked a new contract>

b : sign 4

Examples of INK

1. They just inked a new partnership agreement.
2. <the basketball star just inked a two-year contract with the most celebrated franchise in the NBA>

First Known Use of INK

1562

Related to INK

Synonyms

autograph, sign, subscribe

Related Words

sign up; cosign, countersign, endorse (also indorse), register, sign on; inscribe; author, pen, pencil (in), scratch (out), scrawl, scribble; notarize

ink

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Fluid or paste of various colours (usually black or dark blue) used for writing and printing, composed of a pigment or dye in a liquid “vehicle.” Early inks used lampblack (a form of carbon) or coloured juices, extracts, or suspensions of plant, animal, and mineral substances. Modern writing inks usually contain ferrous sulfate (see iron) with a small amount of an acid; on paper, they darken and bond, becoming permanent. Coloured and washable inks usually contain soluble synthetic dyes. Printing inks are formulated for various requirements (including colour, opacity, fade resistance, pliability, odourlessness, drying behaviour, and health and environmental safety) for uses in offset, letterpress, screen, ink-jet, laser, and other printing.