innuendo

Meanings

Noun

• A derogatory hint or reference to a person or thing. An implication, intimation or insinuation.
• A rhetorical device with an omitted, but obvious conclusion, made to increase the force of an argument.
• Part of a pleading in cases of libel and slander, pointing out what and who was meant by the libellous matter or description.

Verb

• To interpret (something libellous or slanderous) in terms of what was implied.

Origin

• From the Latin innuendō, ablative singular form of innuendum, gerund of innuō.