innuendo
an indirect intimation about a person or thing, especially of a disparaging or a derogatory nature.
Law.
a parenthetic explanation or specification in a pleading.
(in an action for slander or libel) the explanation and elucidation of the words alleged to be defamatory.
the word or expression thus explained.
Origin of innuendo
1word story For innuendo
In Latin innuendo is a gerund, a verbal noun more or less equivalent to verbal nouns ending in -ing in English, as for instance, the noun “reading” in “I like reading,” which is equivalent to the simple infinitive, as in “I like to read.” Latin innuendo is in the ablative singular case (and so to be translated “by __ing”) and means “by hinting, by intimating.” In legal documents in Medieval Latin, innuendo was used as an adverb meaning “to wit, that is to say, i.e.” (its original meaning in English in the 16th century); innuendo introduced a parenthetical explanation of the exact reference of a noun or pronoun, especially in cases of slander or libel in which innuendo introduced clarifying statements about what and who was meant by the libel or slander. By the late 17th century, innuendo in English acquired a noun sense “an indirect and usually derogatory intimation about someone or something.”
Other words for innuendo
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use innuendo in a sentence
The creative innuendos and delivery from Carson proved that the key to humor lies in making an inappropriate joke!
Johnny Carson’s Greatest Moments From Carnac to a Python Grapple | Brittany Jones-Cooper | May 7, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTThere were a lot of dirty innuendos,” she said, adding that, at 10, “I didn't catch that much.
Comments on articles often end with, "I would do her" or other sexual innuendos.
More shocking, reveals John Avlon, were the tactics: sexual innuendos, voter intimidation, near-fisticuffs.
In a word, the term contains a series of expressive innuendos by its etymological derivation.
Essays In Pastoral Medicine | Austin Malley
He did not hesitate to feed the flame with sly speculations, innuendos and even tales concerning Percival and Olga.
West Wind Drift | George Barr McCutcheonBut I trembled with rage at his manner and innuendos and would have killed him if I could.
In Search of Mademoiselle | George GibbsThis they delicately conveyed to her in accepted innuendos Addington knew how to handle.
The Prisoner | Alice BrownMark Twain was likely to be peculiarly sensitive to printed innuendos.
Mark Twain, A Biography, 1835-1910, Complete | Albert Bigelow Paine
British Dictionary definitions for innuendo
/ (ˌɪnjʊˈɛndəʊ) /
an indirect or subtle reference, esp one made maliciously or indicating criticism or disapproval; insinuation
law (in pleading) a word introducing an explanatory phrase, usually in parenthesis
law (in an action for defamation)
an explanation of the construction put upon words alleged to be defamatory where the defamatory meaning is not apparent
the words thus explained
Origin of innuendo
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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