ink / ingk/ • n. a colored fluid used for writing, drawing, printing, or duplicating: the names are written in ink| a picture executed in colored inks. ∎ inf. publicity: cases in which prosecutors seek the death penalty are likely to be those that get lots of ink and air time. ∎  Zool. a black liquid ejected by a cuttlefish, octopus, or squid to confuse a predator.• v. 1. [tr.] mark (words or a design) with ink: the cork has the name of the château inked onto the side. ∎  cover (type or a stamp) with ink before printing: a raised image is inked to produce an impression. ∎  (ink something in) fill in writing or a design with ink: she inked in a cloud of dust. ∎  (ink something out) obliterate something, esp. writing, with ink: he carefully inked out each word.2. inf. sign (a contract): she's just inked a deal to host her own talk show. ∎  secure the services of (someone) with a contract: he has been inked as host for next year's ceremony.DERIVATIVES: ink·er n.

ink XIII. ME. enke, later inc(k), inke — OF. enque (mod. encre) :- late L. encau(s)tum — Gr. égkauston purple ink used by Gr. and Rom. emperors for their signatures, f. egkaiein burn in.
Comp. inkhorn vessel (orig. a horn) for holding ink XIV; i. term, learned or literary word XVI. Hence ink vb., inky XVI.

ink Coloured liquid used for writing, drawing or printing. It may be coloured by a suspended pigment or a soluble dye. Some inks dry by evaporation of a volatile solvent. Ink was used by the ancient Egyptians and Chinese for writing, being made from such various materials as soot and berries.