You searched for: “innuendo
innuendo
By hunting; to nod to; meaning.

1. An indirect or subtle and usually derogatory implication; insinuation.

2. In Law, a plaintiff's interpretation, in a libel suit, of allegedly libelous or slanderous material; an explanation of a word or charge.

An "innuendo" in pleading in a libel action is a statement by a plaintiff of construction that he puts on words which are alleged to be libelous and which meaning he will induce the jury to adopt at trial. Its function is to set a meaning upon words or language of doubtful or to set a meaning upon words or language of doubtful or ambiguous import that alone would not be actionable.

This entry is located in the following unit: Latin Proverbs, Mottoes, Phrases, and Words: Group I (page 4)