insinuation

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun an indirect (and usually malicious) implication
  2. noun the act of gaining acceptance or affection for yourself by persuasive and subtle blandishments

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French insinuation, from Old French, from Latin insinuatio, from īnsinuō (“to push in, creep in, steal in”), from in (“in”) + sinus (“a winding, bend, bay, fold, bosom”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

innuendo

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