ink

Everyday

1. Ink is the coloured liquid used for writing, drawing and printing, found in pens and printers. tree →
2. Ink is also the dark liquid that an octopus or squid squirts to escape from danger. tree →
3. To ink something means to put ink on it or to draw over it in ink; informally, to ink a deal means to sign it. tree →

In the lessons

In school pupils write in pencil or ink pen, refill fountain pens and printers, and learn that ink can blot and stain. In science, ink is used in chromatography experiments to separate colours, and octopus ink is an animal defence. Phrases: «in ink», «ink cartridge», «ink blot», «run out of ink», «ink stain».

Examples

• My pen has run out of ink. tree →
• Write your final answer in ink, not pencil. tree →
• There is a blue ink stain on my shirt. tree →
• The octopus squirted ink and swam away. tree →
• We separated the colours of black ink with filter paper. tree →
• The printer needs a new ink cartridge. tree →
• The artist inked over her pencil drawing. tree →
• An ink blot spread across the page. tree →
• Ink he had none, so he used the juice of blackberries or cherries. tree →

Note

Usually uncountable («some ink»), but «inks» for different kinds. Adjective: «inky» (dark or stained with ink). Trap: «in ink» means written with a pen so it cannot be rubbed out.

In Jewish tradition

Ink was used by a scribe to write a prophet's words on a scroll.

Interpretation. Baruch wrote Jeremiah's prophecies, and tradition values careful writing, as Torah scrolls are still written by hand in special ink.

Examples

• Then Baruch answered them: 'He pronounced all these words unto me with his mouth, and I wrote them with ink in the book.' (Prophets JER.36.18, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Usually uncountable («some ink»), but «inks» for different kinds. Adjective: «inky» (dark or stained with ink). Trap: «in ink» means written with a pen so it cannot be rubbed out.