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Innuendo - Dictionary Definition and Overview |
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Innuendo : (noun)
1: an indirect (and usually malicious) implication [syn: insinuation]
Based on WordNet 2.0
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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.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
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INNUENDO, pleading. An averment which explains the defendant's meaning by
reference to antecedent matter. Salk. 513; 1 Ld. Raym. 256; 12 Mod. 139; 1
Saund. 243. TheInnuendo : is mostly used in actions for slander. An innuendo,
as, "he the said plaintiff meaning," is only explanatory of some matter
expressed; it serves to apply the slander to the precedent matter, but
cannot add or enlarge, extend, or change the sense of the previous words,
and the matter to which it alludes must always appear from the antecedent
parts of the declaration or indictment. 1 Chit. Pl. 383; 3 Caines' Rep. 76;
7 Johns. R. 271; 5 Johns. R. 211; 8 Johns. R. 109; 8 N. H. Rep. 256.
3. It is necessary only when the intent may be mistaken, or when it
cannot be collected from the libel or slander itself. Cowp. 679; 5 East,
463.
4. If the innuendo materially enlarge the sense of the words it will
vitiate the declaration or indictment. 6 T. R. 691; 5 Binn. 218; 5 Johns. R.
220; 6 Johns. R. 83; 7 Johns. Rep. 271. But when the new matter stated in an
innuendo is not necessary to support the action, it may be rejected as
surplusage. 9 East, R. 95; 7 Johns. R. 272. Vide, generally, Stark. on Slan.
293; 1 Chit. Pl. 383; 3 Chit. Cr. Law, 873; Bac. Ab. Slander, R; 1 Saund.
243, n. 4; 4 Com. Dig. 712; 14 Vin. Ab. 442; Dane's Ab. Index, h. t.; 4 Co.
17.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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Example Usage of Innuendo |
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yungerrapper: Here's a fun game. Listen to Rihanna's new single. How many sexual Innuendo's can you find in it? |
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AirDisa: @BrentDPayne LOL at the tech talk Innuendo out the other |
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yesno94: RT @cwatkins94: @yesno94 i can't find any more opportunities for Innuendo :{ << first time for everything! |
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