hint vs intimation

hint

noun
  • An implicit suggestion that avoids a direct statement. 

  • A small, barely detectable amount. 

  • An instruction to the database engine as to how a query should be executed, for example whether to use an index or not. 

  • A clue. 

  • Information in a computer-based font that suggests how the outlines of the font's glyphs should be distorted in order to produce, at specific sizes, a visually appealing pixel-based rendering; an instance of hinting. 

verb
  • To develop and add hints to a font. 

  • To imply without a direct statement; to provide a clue. 

  • To bring to mind by a slight mention or remote allusion; to suggest in an indirect manner. 

intimation

noun
  • A hint; an obscure or indirect suggestion or notice; a remote or ambiguous reference. 

  • The thing intimated. 

  • Announcement; declaration. 

  • The act of intimating. 

How often have the words hint and intimation occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )