ink

[ ingk ]
/ ɪŋk /

noun

a fluid or viscous substance used for writing or printing.
a dark, protective fluid ejected by the cuttlefish and other cephalopods.
Informal. publicity, especially in print media: Their construction plans got some ink in the local paper.

verb (used with object)

to mark, stain, cover, or smear with ink: to ink one's clothes.
Slang. to sign one's name to (an official document): We expect to ink the contract tomorrow.

Origin of ink

1200–50; Middle English inke, enke < Old French enque < Late Latin encautum, variant of encaustum < Greek énkauston purple ink, noun use of neuter of énkaustos burnt in. See encaustic

OTHER WORDS FROM ink

Example sentences from the Web for ink

British Dictionary definitions for ink

ink
/ (ɪŋk) /

noun

a fluid or paste used for printing, writing, and drawing
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 (tr)

to mark with ink
to coat (a printing surface) with ink
See also ink in, ink up

Derived forms of ink

inker, noun

Word Origin for ink

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

Scientific definitions for ink

ink
[ ĭngk ]

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