hint

Etymology

From Middle English hinten, hynten, variant of henten (“to lay hold of, catch”), from Old English hentan (“to seize, grasp”), from Proto-West Germanic *hantijan, from Proto-Germanic *hantijaną. Doublet of hent. Related also to hunt.

noun

1. A clue.
   I needed a hint to complete the crossword.
2. An implicit suggestion that avoids a direct statement.
   He gave me a hint that my breath smelt.
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.
   Mother very rightly resented the slightest hint of condescension. She considered that the exclusiveness of Peter's circle was due not to its distinction, but to the fact that it was an inner Babylon of prodigality and whoredom,[…]. 1922, Ben Travers, chapter 2, in A Cuckoo in the Nest
4. (computing) 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.
5. (databases) An instruction to the database engine as to how a query should be executed, for example whether to use an index or not.
6. (obsolete) An opportunity; occasion; fit time.

verb

1. (intransitive) 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. … . 1913, Robert Barr, chapter 4, in Lord Stranleigh Abroad
2. (transitive) To bring to mind by a slight mention or remote allusion; to suggest in an indirect manner.
   to hint a suspicion
3. (transitive) 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.