Pronunciation: [hˈɪntɪŋ at] (IPA) 
"Hinting at" is a phrase commonly used to suggest or imply something without stating it directly. In terms of pronunciation, "hinting at" is spelled as /ˈhɪntɪŋ æt/. The first syllable "hint" is pronounced as /hɪnt/, while the second syllable "ing" is pronounced as /ɪŋ/. The third syllable "at" is pronounced as /æt/. Together, the word has a stress on the first syllable, and is pronounced as "hinting at."
Hinting at refers to the act of indirectly suggesting or alluding to something. It signifies the use of subtle clues, cues, or suggestions to imply or indicate a particular idea or meaning without explicitly stating it. When someone is hinting at something, they are conveying information or expressing their thoughts in a discreet or indirect manner.
This phrase often conveys a sense of subtlety and discretion, as the speaker or writer is not explicitly revealing or stating something outright. Instead, they rely on insinuations or veiled suggestions to convey their intended message or point. The purpose of hinting at something is often to engage the listener or reader in a process of interpretation, encouraging them to use their own understanding and context to decipher the intended meaning.
Hinting at is commonly used in various contexts, including conversations, literature, films, or even promotional materials. It can serve different purposes, such as foreshadowing future events, creating suspense or mystery, or conveying deeper layers of meaning.
In summary, hinting at refers to the act of indirectly suggesting or alluding to something without explicitly stating it. It involves the use of subtle clues or suggestions to convey a particular idea or meaning, often with the intention of engaging the audience in interpretation or creating a sense of intrigue.
The phrase hinting at is not an individual word with its own etymology; rather, it derives from the etymology of the words hint and at.
1. Hint comes from the Middle English word hinte, which means to indicate indirectly, suggest, and can be traced back to the Old English word hyntan meaning to seize, capture, grasp, understand. This Old English word is related to the Old Norse word henda (to seize, grasp) and the Old High German word henda or hinten (to seize, grasp).
2. At is a preposition originating from the Old English word æt, which expresses direction, position, or relation. This word has cognates in several Germanic languages.
Thus, when we combine hint and at, we create the phrase hinting at.
