hint 
(hĭnt)
(hĭnt)n.
1. A slight indication or intimation: wanted to avoid any hint of scandal.
2.
a. A brief or indirect suggestion; a tip: stock-trading hints.
b. A statement conveying information in an indirect fashion; a clue: Give me a hint about the big news.
3. A barely perceptible amount: just a hint of color.
4. Archaic An occasion; an opportunity.
v. hint·ed, hint·ing, hints
v.tr.
1. To express or state indirectly: She hinted that she might prefer our company to theirs. See Synonyms at suggest.
2. To indicate or make evident in an indirect manner: "The diversity of observations hinted that they had no common origin" (Carl Sagan).
v.intr.
To give a hint: wouldn't hint at the true purpose of the meeting.
[Probably from Middle English hinten, henten, to catch, grasp, from Old English hentan.]
hinter n.