INSINUATION
ingratiation, insinuation
(noun) the act of gaining acceptance or affection for yourself by persuasive and subtle blandishments; “she refused to use insinuation in order to gain favor”
insinuation, innuendo
(noun) an indirect (and usually malicious) implication
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Noun
insinuation (countable and uncountable, plural insinuations)
The act or process of insinuating; a creeping, winding, or flowing in.
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.
The art or power of gaining good will by a prepossessing manner.
That which is insinuated; a hint; a suggestion, innuendo or intimation by distant allusion
• slander may be conveyed by insinuations.
Source: Wiktionary
In*sin"u*a`tion, n. Etym: [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.
Syn.
– Hint; intimation; suggestion. See Innuendo.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition