Inkle

From Middle English, from *inklen, inclen ("to give an inkling of, hint at, mention, utter in an undertone"), from inke ("apprehension, misgiving"), from Old English inca ("doubt, suspicion"), from Proto-Germanic *inkô ("ache, regret"), from Proto-Indo-European *yenǵ- ("illness"). Cognate with Old Frisian jinc ("angered"), Old Norse ekki ("pain, grief"), Norwegian ekkje ("lack, pity").

Full definition of inkle

Verb

1. (transitive, rare) To hint at; disclose.
2. (transitive, rare) To have a hint or inkling of; divine.

Derived terms

• inkling

Apparently from earlier *ingle, perhaps from an incorrect division of lingle, lingel.

Alternative forms

• incle

Noun

1. Narrow linen tape, used for trimmings or to make shoelaces