- in´ti|mat´er
- in|ti|mate1 «IHN tuh miht», adjective, noun.–adj.1. very familiar; known very well; closely acquainted: »
Although the governor knew many people, he had few intimate friends. The English colonists at Rome perforce became intimate, and in many cases friendly (Thackeray).
SYNONYM(S): See syn. under familiar. (Cf. ↑familiar)2. involving or resulting from close familiarity; close: »intimate knowledge of a matter. Winter…I crown thee King of intimate delights, Fireside enjoyments, home-born happiness (William Cowper).
3. very personal; most private: »A diary is an intimate book.
6. maintaining illicit sexual relations.–n.a very close friend or associate: »The lawyer was an intimate of many in public office.
╂[earlier intime < Middle French, learned borrowing from Latin intimus inmost; close friend, superlative of in in; later altered under the influence of Latin intimātus, past participle of intimāre; see etym. under intimate2 (Cf. ↑intimate)]–in´ti|mate|ly, adverb.–in´ti|mate|ness, noun.1. to suggest indirectly; hint; imply: »Her smile intimated that she was pleased. He intimated that he was dissatisfied with his job.
SYNONYM(S): See syn. under hint. (Cf. ↑hint)2. to make known formally; announce; notify: »The miners posted a notice intimating a strike unless their demands for pay were met.
SYNONYM(S): state.╂[< Latin intimāre (with English -ate1) (originally) press in < Latin intimus inmost; see etym. under intimate1 (Cf. ↑intimate)]–in´ti|mat´er, noun.
Useful english dictionary. 2012.