hintnoun/hɪnt/

• 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.
• 4

  computingengineeringmathematicsInformation 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

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

• 6

  obsoleteAn 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.

hintverb/hɪnt/

• 1

  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.
• 2

  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; […]
• 3

  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.

hintintj/hɪnt/

• 1

  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.)