1) the faintest, slightest inkling
2) an inkling that + clause (I didn't have the slightest inkling that he was ill)
Combinatory dictionary. 2013.
Inkling — In kling, n. A hint; an intimation. [1913 Webster] The least inkling or glimpse of this island. Bacon. [1913 Webster] They had some inkling of secret messages. Clarendon. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
inkling — [iŋk′liŋ] n. [ME ingkiling < inclen, to give an inkling of] 1. an indirect suggestion; slight indication; hint 2. a vague idea or notion; suspicion … English World dictionary
inkling — index clue, hint, inference, intimation, notion, perception, reference (allusion), suggestion … Law dictionary
inkling — c.1400, apparently from the gerund of M.E. verb inclen utter in an undertone, hint at, hint (mid 14c.), which is of unknown origin; perhaps related to O.E. inca doubt, suspicion … Etymology dictionary
inkling — [n] idea, clue conception, cue, faintest idea*, foggiest idea*, glimmering, hint, hot lead*, hunch*, impression, indication, innuendo, intimation, lead, notion, sneaking suspicion*, suggestion, suspicion, tip, tipoff, whisper; concept 689 … New thesaurus
inkling — ► NOUN ▪ a slight suspicion; a hint. ORIGIN from archaic inkle «say in an undertone» … English terms dictionary
inkling — noun ADJECTIVE ▪ first ▪ The first inkling we had of Cliff s problem was when he didn t come to work. ▪ faintest, slightest ▪ We didn t have the slightest inkling of the dramatic news we were about to hear … Collocations dictionary
inkling — ink|ling [ˈıŋklıŋ] n [C usually singular] [Date: 1500 1600; Origin: Probably from inkle to say quietly, hint (1300 1400)] a slight idea about something →↑suspicion ▪ I had an inkling that she was pregnant. inkling of ▪ She had absolutely no… … Dictionary of contemporary English
inkling — in|kling [ ıŋklıŋ ] noun count a slight idea or small piece of information that tells you that something might exist or be happening: The first inkling that something was wrong came on Wednesday. have no inkling: I had no inkling how serious… … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
inkling — [[t]ɪ̱ŋklɪŋ[/t]] inklings N COUNT: usu sing, usu N of n/wh, N that/wh If you have an inkling of something, you have a vague idea about it. I had no inkling of his real purpose until much later... We had an inkling that something might be… … English dictionary
