hint

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   A clue.

   • I needed a hint to complete the crossword.
2. 2

   An implicit suggestion that avoids a direct statement.

   • He gave me a hint that my breath smelt.
3. 3

   A small, barely detectable amount.

   • There was a hint of irony in his voice.
   • I could taste a hint of lemon in my iced water.
   • And I perceived no touch of change, ⁠No hint of death in all his frame, ⁠But found him all in all the same, […]
4. ›+ 7 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      Information in a computer-based font that suggests how the outlines of the font's glyphs…

      Information in a computer-based font that suggests how the outlines of the font's glyphs should be distorted in order to produce, at specific sizes, a visually appealing pixel-based rendering; an instance of hinting.

      • This font does not scale well to small sizes; the hints for the 10-point letter 'g' still need work.
   2. 5

      An instruction to the database engine as to how a query should be executed, for example…

      An instruction to the database engine as to how a query should be executed, for example whether to use an index or not.

   3. 6

      An opportunity

      An opportunity; occasion; fit time.

      • I, not remembering how I cried out then, / Will cry it o'er again: it is a hint / That wrings mine eyes to't.
   4. 7

      To imply without a direct statement

      To imply without a direct statement; to provide a clue.

      • She hinted at the possibility of a recount of the votes.
      • I have tried, as I hinted, to enlist the co-operation of other capitalists, but experience has taught me that any appeal is futile that does not impinge directly upon cupidity.
   5. 8

      To bring to mind by a slight mention or remote allusion

      To bring to mind by a slight mention or remote allusion; to suggest in an indirect manner.

      • to hint a suspicion
      • VVilling to vvound, and yet afraid to ſtrike, / Juſt hint a fault and heſitate diſlike; […]
      • We shall not describe this tragical scene too fully; but we thought ourselves obliged, by that historic integrity which we profess, shortly to hint a matter which we would otherwise have been glad to have spared.
   6. 9

      To develop and add hints to a font.

      • The typographer worked all day on hinting her new font so it would look good on computer screens.
   7. 10

      Signifies that something previously said should be taken as a hint or heeded closely.

      • And yes, as long as you are being a good coder and engaging in safe practices, nothing should go wrong. (Hint, hint.)

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