inkling, vbl. n.
(ˈɪŋklɪŋ)
Forms: (5 nyngkiling), 6 ink(e)-, inck(e)-, ynk(e)-, inc-, ync-, ing-, 6–7 inckling, 6– inkling.
[f. inkle v. + -ing1.]
1. Mentioning in an undertone; a faint or slight mention, report, or rumour; chiefly in phrase to hear an inkling (of something). Obs. exc. dial.
(In the first quot. it was the sound of his own name in a whispered communication that Alexander caught.)
| a 1400–50 Alexander 2968 [Alexander] Herd a nyngkiling of his name, & naytis him to ryse, Buskis him vp at a braide, & fra þe burde rysys. 1533 More Apol. xxi. Wks. 881/2 The tother had heard an incling whiche yet he belieued not, that this man was not much afore hande. 1548 Hall Chron., Hen. IV 25 He was thither come..before the confederates hearde any inkelyng of his marchyng forward. 1576 Fleming Panopl. Epist. 11 There was an ynkling, that it wold not be long er you came. 1600 Holland Livy vi. xxv. 235 They had scarcely heard any inkling or rumour of hostilitie. 1658 Phillips, An Inkling of a matter, a small rumour or report, as it were a tinckling, or little sound. a 1665 J. Goodwin Filled w. the Spirit (1867) 211 They had not so much as heard the least inkling of those blessed tidings. 1755 Johnson s.v., The word is derived by Skinner, from inklincken, to sound within. This sense is still retained in Scotland: as, I heard not an inkling. [So also in mod. Sc.] |
2. A hint, a slight intimation, or suggestion; usually to give (one) an inkling (of something).
| 1513 More Rich. III, Wks. 38/1 Whyther hee..knewe that hee suche thynge purposed, or otherwyse had anye inkelynge thereof. 1529 ― Dyaloge ii. Wks. 191/1 But I put case now y{supt} ye had an inkeling or els a playne warning, y{supt} some of them were hys enemies. 1548 Udall, etc. Erasm. Par. Matt. xxiii. 110 Geuyng an incklyng of his secound cummyng. 1549 Coverdale, etc. Erasm. Par. Thess. 1 Signifying vnto them as it were with priuie ynclynges, that there were some among them, whiche were not yet altogether pure. 1553 Brende Q. Curtius Q j, To the entente no inglynge shoulde appeare of this newe counsaile, he caused it to be proclaimed that the armie should set forwardes the next daye. 1571 Campion Hist. Irel. ii. x. (1633) 133, I have said enough, especially to a learned governour, to whom an inckling were sufficient. 1650 Howell Giraffi's Rev. Naples i. 77 There were many papers..wherein there were inklings given. 1682 Bunyan Holy War 287, I have received from this good truth-teller this one inkling further. 1741 Richardson Pamela II. 341, I have had some Inkling given me, that you might, if you pleased, augment that Estate. 1865 Carlyle Fredk. Gt. xiii. v. (1872) V. 61 If the least inkling of it ooze out, he shall have right to deny it. |
† b. An intimation given by a wink or nod. Obs. rare.
| 1598 Florio, Cenno, a nod, a becke or signe or a glance or touch at any thing, an inkling. Ibid., Fare d'occhio, to winke vpon one, to giue a signe with the eyes, to giue an inkling. |
3. A hint or slight intimation received; hence, a slight or vague knowledge or notion, however acquired; a suspicion; esp. in phrase to have, get an inkling (of something).
| 1546 J. Heywood Prov. (1867) 73 He by gesse had got an inklyng Of hir hoord. 1604 T. Wright Passions iv. §4. 191 Our memorie is such, that if it conceiue but an inckling of any matter..our understanding followeth it. 1627 Sanderson 12 Serm. (1637) 518 Never had..so much as the least inckling of the Doctrine of Salvation. 1755 J. G. Cooper in World No. 110 ¶9 The government.. begins to entertain an idea, or, as the vulgar phrase it, to have an inkling of the matter. 1765 Foote Commissary i. Wks. 1799 II. 17 If he gets but an inkling, but the slightest suspicion, our project is marr'd. 1846 J. W. Croker in C. Papers 10 July (1884), Not one of them had the least inkling of the kind of speech he was about to make. 1852 H. Rogers Ecl. Faith (1853) 285 To transform a dim inkling of a truth into an intelligent, vital, conscious recognition of it. |
† b. A suspicion of or against a person. Obs. rare.
| 1620 Shelton Quix. III. i. 5 The Chaplain told him, the Rector had an Inckling against him. 1709 Strype Ann. Ref. (1824) I. xxxviii. 103 By this time they had some inkling of the lord Robert Dudley. |
† c. ? A vague hope or notion of doing something.
| 1804 W. Taylor in Ann. Rev. II. 235 Antijacobinism had..still some gay hopes to gamble upon, still some inkling to turn up a king. |
4. dial. An inclination, slight desire. [app. influenced by incline, or F. enclin.]
| 1787 Grose Prov. Gloss., Inkling, a desire. N[orth]. 1807 Southey in Robberds Mem. W. Taylor II. 202, I feel inklings to address an ode to the people of Liverpool. 1824 ― Lett. (1856) III. 436, I have still an inkling for the west. 1825 Brockett N.C. Gloss., Inckling, Inkling, a desire. 1828 Craven Dial., Inkling, a desire. ‘I've an inkling to gang to t' fair tomorn’. 1869 Lonsdale Gloss., Inklin', a wish or desire. |