in´ti|mate|ness

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.

4. far within; deepest; inmost; most inward; deep-seated: »

the most intimate recesses of the heart.

5. essential; intrinsic: »

the intimate structure of an organism.

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.

in|ti|mate² «IHN tuh mayt», transitive verb, -mat|ed, -mat|ing.

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.