Secret hint (8)

I believe the answer is:

intimate

This clue is a double definition.

'secret' is the first definition.
(thesaurus)

'hint' is the second definition.
(intimating is a kind of hinting)

(Other definitions for intimate that I've seen before include "Hint to a familiar friend" , "state" , "Bosom" , "Closely acquainted" , "Personal - hint - friend" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian and The Times.

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