Insinuation, n.
Etymology: [L. insinuatio: cf. F. insinuation.]
1. The act or process of insinuating; a creeping, winding, or flowing in. By a soft insinuation mix'd With earth's large mass. Crashaw.
2. The act of gaining favor, affection, or influence, by gentle or artful means; -- formerly used in a good sense, as of friendly influence or interposition. Sir H. Wotton. I hope through the insinuation of Lord Scarborough to keep them here till further orders. Lady Cowper.
3. The art or power of gaining good will by a prepossessing manner. He bad a natural insinuation and address which made him acceptable in the best company. Clarendon.
4. That which is insinuated; a hint; a suggestion or intimation by distant allusion; as, slander may be conveyed by insinuations. I scorn your coarse insinuation. Cowper.
1 more senses
Syn. -- Hint; intimation; suggestion. See Innuendo.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for insinuation; he lists it under suggestion.
Where he writes about it:
Insinuation and innuendo are used in the bad sense; an insinuation is a covert or partly veiled injurious utterance, sometimes to the very person attacked; an innuendo is commonly secret as well as sly, as if pointing one out by a significant nod (L. in, in, to, and nuo, nod). — from suggestion