innuendo definition | Dictionary.com

in⋅nu⋅en⋅do

[in-yoo-en-doh]

–noun, plural -dos, -does.

1.	an indirect intimation about a person or thing, esp. of a disparaging or a derogatory nature.

Law.

a.	a parenthetic explanation or specification in a pleading.

b.	(in an action for slander or libel) the explanation and elucidation of the words alleged to be defamatory.

c.	the word or expression thus explained.

Origin:
1555–65; < L: a hint, lit., by signaling, abl. of innuendum, ger. of innuere to signal, equiv. to in- in- ² + nuere to nod

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
Cite This Source

in·nu·en·do (ĭn'yōō-ěn'dō) Pronunciation Key
n. pl. in·nu·en·does

An indirect or subtle, usually derogatory implication in expression; an insinuation.
Law
1. A plaintiff's interpretation in a libel suit of allegedly libelous or slanderous material.
2. A parenthetic explanation of a word or charge in a legal document.

[From Latin innuendō, by hinting, ablative of innuendum, gerund of innuere, to nod to : in-, to, toward; see in-² + -nuere, to nod.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source

innuendo

1678, "oblique hint, indiscreet suggestion," usually a depreciatory one, from L. innuendo "by meaning, pointing to," lit. "giving a nod to," abl. of ger. of innuere "to mean, signify," lit. "to nod to," from in- "at" + nuere "to nod." Originally a legal phrase (1564) from M.L., with the sense of "to wit." It often introduced the derogatory meaning alleged in libel cases, which influenced its broader meaning.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source

innuendo
noun
an indirect (and usually malicious) implication [syn: insinuation]

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
Cite This Source

Innuendo

In`nu*en"do\, n.; pl. Innuedoes(?). [L., by intimation, by hinting, gerund of innuere, innutum, to give a nod, to intimate; pref. in- in, to + -nuere (in comp.) to nod. See Nutation.]

1. An oblique hint; a remote allusion or reference, usually derogatory to a person or thing not named; an insinuation.

Mercury . . . owns it a marriage by an innuendo. --Dryden.

Pursue your trade of scandal picking; Your innuendoes, when you tell us, That Stella loves to talk with fellows. --Swift.

2. (Law) An averment employed in pleading, to point the application of matter otherwise unintelligible; an interpretative parenthesis thrown into quoted matter to explain an obscure word or words; -- as, the plaintiff avers that the defendant said that he (innuendo the plaintiff) was a thief. --Wharton.

Note: The term is so applied from having been the introductory word of this averment or parenthetic explanation when pleadings were in Latin. The word "meaning" is used as its equivalent in modern forms.

Syn: Insinuation; suggestion; hint; intimation; reference; allusion; implication; representation; -- Innuendo, Insinuation.

Usage: An innuendo is an equivocal allusion so framed as to point distinctly at something which is injurious to the character or reputation of the person referred to. An insinuation turns on no such double use of language, but consists in artfully winding into the mind imputations of an injurious nature without making any direct charge.

Search another word or see innuendo on Thesaurus | Reference | Translate

About · Privacy Policy · Terms of Use · Link to Us · Report Ad · Contact Us

Get your FREE Subscription to Dictionary.com Word of the Day