ink
English meaning: Ink
Definition
A pigment (or dye)-based fluid used for writing, printing etc.
Example
“The pen leaked, leaving a dark blot of ink on his shirt pocket.”
Another example: “The artist drew the cartoon in pencil before going over it in ink.”
Usage — When, Where & How
A neutral noun for a coloured fluid used in writing, drawing, and printing. Also informally means tattoos ('he's got a lot of ink') and, by extension, press coverage ('the story got plenty of ink'). As a verb it means to sign or to tattoo.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Old French 'enque', from Late Latin 'encaustum', the purple-red ink used by emperors, from Greek 'enkauston' (burned in); entered English in the 13th century.
Synonyms
- dye
- pigment
- colourant
Related Words
Common Collocations
- red ink
- ink cartridge
- permanent ink
- ink stain
- invisible ink
- run out of ink
Word Forms
ink (n/v); inks (pl); inked; inking; inky (adj)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B