Insinuating

Insinuating
Insinuate In*sin"u*ate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Insinuated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Insinuating}.] [L. insinuatus, p. p. of insinuareto insinuate; pref. in- in + sinus the bosom. See {Sinuous}.] [1913 Webster] 1. To introduce gently or slowly, as by a winding or narrow passage, or a gentle, persistent movement. [1913 Webster]

The water easily insinuates itself into, and placidly distends, the vessels of vegetables. --Woodward. [1913 Webster]

2. To introduce artfully; to infuse gently; to instill. [1913 Webster]

All the art of rhetoric, besides order and clearness, are for nothing else but to insinuate wrong ideas, move the passions, and thereby mislead the judgment. --Locke. [1913 Webster]

Horace laughs to shame all follies and insinuates virtue, rather by familiar examples than by the severity of precepts. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

3. To hint; to suggest by remote allusion; -- often used derogatorily; as, did you mean to insinuate anything? [1913 Webster]

4. To push or work (one's self), as into favor; to introduce by slow, gentle, or artful means; to ingratiate; -- used reflexively. [1913 Webster]

He insinuated himself into the very good grace of the Duke of Buckingham. --Clarendon.

Syn: To instill; hint; suggest; intimate. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Insinuating — In*sin u*a ting, a. Winding, creeping, or flowing in, quietly or stealthily; suggesting; winning favor and confidence insensibly. Milton. [1913 Webster] His address was courteous, and even insinuating. Prescott. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • insinuating — index calumnious, contemptuous, leading (guiding) Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • insinuating — [[t]ɪnsɪ̱njueɪtɪŋ[/t]] ADJ (disapproval) If you describe someone s words or voice as insinuating, you mean that they are saying in an indirect way that something bad is the case. Marcus kept making insinuating remarks... Yes. My tone was… …   English dictionary

  • insinuating — insinuatingly, adv. /in sin yooh ay ting/, adj. 1. tending to instill doubts, distrust, etc.; suggestive: an insinuating letter. 2. gaining favor or winning confidence by artful means: an insinuating manner. [1585 95; INSINUATE + ING2] * * * …   Universalium

  • insinuating — in•sin•u•at•ing [[t]ɪnˈsɪn yuˌeɪ tɪŋ[/t]] adj. 1) tending to instill doubts, distrust, etc.; suggestive: an insinuating letter[/ex] 2) gaining favor or winning confidence by artful means: an insinuating manner[/ex] • Etymology: 1585–95 …   From formal English to slang

  • insinuating — adjective Date: 1591 1. winning favor and confidence by imperceptible degrees ; ingratiating 2. tending gradually to cause doubt, distrust, or change of outlook often in a slyly subtle manner < insinuating remarks > • insinuatingly adverb …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • insinuating — in|sin|u|at|ing [ ın sınju,eıtıŋ ] adjective saying something unpleasant in an indirect way: insinuating remarks …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • insinuating — insinuate ► VERB 1) suggest or hint (something bad) in an indirect and unpleasant way. 2) (insinuate oneself into) manoeuvre oneself gradually into (a favourable position). DERIVATIVES insinuating adjective insinuator noun. ORIGIN originally in… …   English terms dictionary

  • insinuating — Synonyms and related words: adulatory, allusive, allusory, bland, blandishing, blarneying, buttery, cajoling, complimentary, courtierly, courtly, deferential, disarming, fair spoken, fawning, fine spoken, flattering, fulsome, gushing, honey… …   Moby Thesaurus

  • insinuating — (Roget s Thesaurus II) adjective 1. Provoking a change of outlook and especially gradual doubt and suspicion: insinuative, insinuatory, suggestive. See SUGGEST. 2. Purposefully contrived to gain favor: ingratiating, ingratiatory, saccharine,… …   English dictionary for students

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