Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - intimate

 I. transitive verb  (-mated; -mating)  Etymology: Late Latin intimatus, past participle of intimare to put in, announce, from Latin intimus innermost, superlative of Old Latin *interus inward — more at interior  Date: 1522  1. to make known especially publicly or formally ; announce  2. to communicate delicately and indirectly ; hint  Synonyms: see suggest  • ~r noun  • intimation noun  II. adjective  Etymology: alteration of obsolete intime, from Latin intimus  Date: 1632  1.  a. intrinsic, essential  b. belonging to or characterizing one's deepest nature  2. marked by very close association, contact, or familiarity ~ knowledge of the law  3.  a. marked by a warm friendship developing through long association ~ friends  b. suggesting informal warmth or privacy ~ clubs  4. of a very personal or private nature ~ secrets  • ~ly adverb  • ~ness noun  III. noun  Date: 1659 an ~ friend or confidant