Intimate

In′ti·mate, a. [Formerly intime, L. intimus, a superl. corresponding to the compar. interior: cf. F. intime. The form intimate is due to confusion with intimate, v. t. See Interior.]

1. Innermost; inward; internal; deep-seated; hearty. "I knew from intimate impulse." Milton.

2. Near; close; direct; thorough; complete.

He was honored with an intimate and immediate admission. South.

3. Close in friendship or acquaintance; familiar; confidential; as, an intimate friend.

Syn. — Familiar; near; friendly; confidential.

In′ti·mate, n. An intimate friend or associate; a confidant. Gov. of the Tongue.

In′ti·mate (·māt), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Intimated; p. pr. & vb. n. Intimating.] [L. intimatus, p. p. of intimare to put, bring, drive, or press into, to announce, make known, from intimus the inmost. See Intimate, a.]

1. To announce; to declare; to publish; to communicate; to make known. [Obs.]

He, incontinent, did proclaim and intimate open war. E. Hall.

So both conspiring 'gan to intimate Each other's grief. Spenser.

2. To suggest obscurely or indirectly; to refer to remotely; to give slight notice of; to hint; as, he intimated his intention of resigning his office.

The names of simple ideas and substances, with the abstract ideas in the mind, intimate some real existence, from which was derived their original pattern. Locke.