INSINUATING • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Insinuating

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/ɪnsˈɪnjueɪtɪŋ/ Listen

verb

Insinuate v. t. (past & past part. insinuated; pres. part. insinuating)

1.

To introduce gently or slowly, as by a winding or narrow passage, or a gentle, persistent movement. "The water easily insinuates itself into, and placidly distends, the vessels of vegetables."

2.

To introduce artfully; to infuse gently; to instill. "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." "Horace laughs to shame all follies and insinuates virtue, rather by familiar examples than by the severity of precepts."

3.

To hint; to suggest by remote allusion; often used derogatorily; as, did you mean to insinuate anything?

4.

To push or work (one's self), as into favor; to introduce by slow, gentle, or artful means; to ingratiate; used reflexively. "He insinuated himself into the very good grace of the Duke of Buckingham."

Synonyms: To instill; hint; suggest; intimate.

Insinuate v. i.

1.

To creep, wind, or flow in; to enter gently, slowly, or imperceptibly, as into crevices.

2.

To ingratiate one's self; to obtain access or favor by flattery or cunning. "He would insinuate with thee but to make thee sigh." "To insinuate, flatter, bow, and bend my limbs."

adjective

Insinuating adj. Winding, creeping, or flowing in, quietly or stealthily; suggesting; winning favor and confidence insensibly. "His address was courteous, and even insinuating."

See images of 'Insinuating'

Etymology of 'Insinuating'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Insinuating" Quotes from Famous Books

... been very selfish, and not taken her anywhere all these weeks, Dane,' she remarked bridling, with her peculiar smooth manner of insinuating ...

— The Gold of Chickaree • Susan Warner

... boy who had lighted Fanny's fire on the first day of her arrival at Place-du-Bois, and who had made such insinuating advances of friendliness towards her, had continued to attract her notice and good will. He it was who lighted her fires on such mornings as they were needed. For there had been no winter. In mid-January, the grass was fresh and green; trees and plants were putting forth tender shoots, as ...

— At Fault • Kate Chopin

... to the name of Fairfield, which seemed to me some forty years ago as beyond all reasonable doubt the Danish mask for Sheep-fell. But, in using the phrase 'reasonable doubt,' I am far from insinuating that Mr. Ferguson's deliberate doubt is not reasonable. I will state both sides of the question, for neither is without some show of argument. To me it seemed next to impossible that the early Danish settlers could, under the ...

— The Uncollected Writings of Thomas de Quincey--Vol. 1 - With a Preface and Annotations by James Hogg • Thomas de Quincey

... ears. The indignation is universal. Eusebius and his party are in consternation. Arius has been too outspoken. He has stated his opinions too crudely; such frankness will not do here; he is no longer among the ignorant. Eusebius himself rises to speak and, with the insinuating and charming manner for which he is famous, tries to gloss ...

— Saint Athanasius - The Father of Orthodoxy • F.A. [Frances Alice] Forbes

... In consequence of an insinuating intimation of our mutual patroness, I have still to add the excuses of our good friend Brendel to you. When I have an opportunity I will tell you in person about the Prologue disturbances at the Leipzig Tonkunstler Versammlung. Pohl had also supplied one—but ...

— Letters of Franz Liszt, Volume 1, "From Paris to Rome: - Years of Travel as a Virtuoso" • Franz Liszt; Letters assembled by La Mara and translated

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