intimation

Etymology

From Middle French intimation, from Latin intimatio.

noun

1. The act of intimating.
2. The thing intimated.
3. Announcement; declaration.
4. A hint; an obscure or indirect suggestion or notice; a remote or ambiguous reference.
   Without mentioning the king of England, or giving the least intimation that he was sent by him. 1679, Gilbert Burnet, The History of the Reformation of the Church of England
   At length, perchance, the immaterial heaven will appear as much higher to the American mind, and the intimations that star it as much brighter. 1862, Henry David Thoreau, Walking