- 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.
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
