Intimation, n.
Etymology: [L. intimatio: cf. F. intimation.]
1. The act of intimating; also, the thing intimated.
2. Announcement; declaration. Macaulay. They made an edict with an intimation that whosoever killed a stork, should be banished. Holland.
3. A hint; an obscure or indirect suggestion or notice; a remote or ambiguous reference; as, he had given only intimations of his design. Without mentioning the king of England, or giving the least intimation that he was sent by him. Bp. Burnet.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for intimation; he lists it under suggestion.
Where he writes about it:
A suggestion may be given unintentionally, and even unconsciously, as when we say an author has "a suggestive style." An intimation is a suggestion in brief utterance, or sometimes by significant act, gesture, or token, of one's meaning or wishes; in the latter case it is often the act of a superior; as, God in his providence gives us intimations of his will. — from suggestion
Antonyms
none given