Hint, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Hinted; p. pr. & vb. n. Hinting.]
Etymology: [OE. henten, hinten, to seize, to catch, AS. hentan to pursue, take, seize; or Icel. ymta to mutter, ymtr a muttering, Dan. ymte to whisper. sq. root36. Cf. Hent.]
To bring to mind by a slight mention or remote allusion; to suggest in an indirect manner; as, to hint a suspicion. Just hint a fault and hesitate dislike. Pope.
Syn. -- To suggest; intimate; insinuate; imply.
2 other Webster entries under this spelling
Hint, v. i.
To make an indirect reference, suggestion, or allusion; to allude vaguely to something. We whisper, and hint, and chuckle. Tennyson. To hint at, to allude to lightly, indirectly, or cautiously.
Syn. -- To allude; refer; glance; touch.
Hint, n.
A remote allusion; slight mention; intimation; insinuation; a suggestion or reminder, without a full declaration or explanation; also, an occasion or motive. Our hint of woe Is common. Shak. The hint malevolent, the look oblique. Hannah M
Syn. -- Suggestion; allusion. See Suggestion.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for hint; he lists it under allude, suggestion.
Where he writes about it:
One may hint at a thing in a friendly way, but what is insinuated is always unfavorable, generally both hostile and cowardly. — from allude
A hint is still more limited in expression, and is always covert, but frequently with good intent; as, to give one a hint of danger or of opportunity. — from suggestion