\In`nu*en"do\, n.; pl. {Innuedoes}(?). [L., by
intimation, by hinting, gerund of innuere, innutum, to give a
nod, to intimate; pref. in- in, to + -nuere (in comp.) to
nod. See {Nutation}.]
1. An oblique hint; a remote allusion or reference, usually
   derogatory to a person or thing not named; an insinuation.
         Mercury . . . owns it a marriage by an innuendo.
                                               --Dryden.
         Pursue your trade of scandal picking; Your
         innuendoes, when you tell us, That Stella loves to
         talk with fellows.                    --Swift.
2. (Law) An averment employed in pleading, to point the
   application of matter otherwise unintelligible; an
   interpretative parenthesis thrown into quoted matter to
   explain an obscure word or words; -- as, the plaintiff
   avers that the defendant said that he (innuendo the
   plaintiff) was a thief. --Wharton.
Note: The term is so applied from having been the
      introductory word of this averment or parenthetic
      explanation when pleadings were in Latin. The word
      ``meaning'' is used as its equivalent in modern forms.
Syn: Insinuation; suggestion; hint; intimation; reference;
     allusion; implication; representation; -- {Innuendo},
     {Insinuation}.
Usage: An innuendo is an equivocal allusion so framed as to
       point distinctly at something which is injurious to
       the character or reputation of the person referred to.
       An insinuation turns on no such double use of
       language, but consists in artfully winding into the
       mind imputations of an injurious nature without making
       any direct charge.