intimation

Intimation is a noun that denotes the act of indicating or notifying someone about something, often in a subtle or indirect manner. The term originally stems from the Latin word "intimare," meaning to make known or to intimate, and entered English usage in the late seventeenth century.

In common usage, an intimation can be either a direct statement or an implied hint, such as a facial expression or a tone of voice that conveys information without explicit verbal communication. Legal contexts frequently use the word to describe a formal notice or communication that is intended to inform a party of a change, decision, or obligation. For example, a company might provide shareholders with an intimation of a proposed merger before a formal meeting is called.

The word is closely related to “intimate,” meaning to convey information discreetly, and to “intimation” as a sense of eerily sensed knowing. Synonyms include notice, communication, signal, or hint, though each carries a slightly different connotation regarding the clarity and formality of the information conveyed.

A typical example of intimation is a manager leaving a note on a colleague’s desk, indicating their intention to move to another department. While the note is not a formal memo, it serves as an intimation that will prompt further conversation. In rhetoric, intimation is sometimes employed as a persuasive technique, encouraging listeners to read between the lines.

Overall, intimation functions as a linguistic tool that balances explicitness and subtlety, allowing speakers and writers to convey information with varying degrees of directness.