| n. | 1. | An oblique hint; a remote allusion or reference, usually derogatory to a person or thing not named; an insinuation. |
| 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. |
| Noun | 1. | innuendo - an indirect (and usually malicious) implication Synonyms: insinuation |
INNUENDO, pleading. An averment which explains the defendant's meaning by
reference to antecedent matter. Salk. 513; 1 Ld. Raym. 256; 12 Mod. 139; 1
Saund. 243. The innuendo is mostly used in actions for slander. An innuendo,
as, "he the said plaintiff meaning," is only explanatory of some matter
expressed; it serves to apply the slander to the precedent matter, but
cannot add or enlarge, extend, or change the sense of the previous words,
and the matter to which it alludes must always appear from the antecedent
parts of the declaration or indictment. 1 Chit. Pl. 383; 3 Caines' Rep. 76;
7 Johns. R. 271; 5 Johns. R. 211; 8 Johns. R. 109; 8 N. H. Rep. 256.
3. It is necessary only when the intent may be mistaken, or when it
cannot be collected from the libel or slander itself. Cowp. 679; 5 East,
463.
4. If the innuendo materially enlarge the sense of the words it will
vitiate the declaration or indictment. 6 T. R. 691; 5 Binn. 218; 5 Johns. R.
220; 6 Johns. R. 83; 7 Johns. Rep. 271. But when the new matter stated in an
innuendo is not necessary to support the action, it may be rejected as
surplusage. 9 East, R. 95; 7 Johns. R. 272. Vide, generally, Stark. on Slan.
293; 1 Chit. Pl. 383; 3 Chit. Cr. Law, 873; Bac. Ab. Slander, R; 1 Saund.
243, n. 4; 4 Com. Dig. 712; 14 Vin. Ab. 442; Dane's Ab. Index, h. t.; 4 Co.
17.