chink
/t͡ʃɪŋk/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: 2.61 in modern English
14
Scrabble Score
5
Letters
1
Syllables
5
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
A vulnerability or flaw in a protection system or in any otherwise formidable system.
Example Sentences
- "What a pity they didn’t stop up the chinks and the crannies though, and thrust in a little lint here and there."
- "Yet I did not give way, but settled to wait for the dawn, which must, I knew, be now at hand; for then I thought enough light would come through the chinks of the tomb above to show me how to set to work."
- "Through one cloudless chink, in a black, stormy sky, / Shines out the dewy morning star."
- "I noticed a chink of light under the door."
- "A chink of light offering a possible settlement to one part of the rail dispute comes as the RMT is to ballot its members at Network Rail on whether to accept an improved offer."
- "The warrior saw a chink in her enemy's armor, and aimed her spear accordingly."
Etymology
Of uncertain origin, but apparently an extension, with diminutive -k (see more at -ock), of Middle English chine (or, if already suffixed in Middle English, *chinek), from Old English ċine (“a crack, chine, chink”), equivalent to chine + -k.
Origin
Word Breakdown
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /t͡ʃɪŋk/
- British English: /t͡ʃɪŋk/
Usage
Inflected Forms
chinks (plural)
chinks (present, singular)
chinking (participle, present)
chinked (participle, past)
chinked (past)
more Chink (comparative)
most Chink (superlative)