innuendo

Etymology

From the Latin innuendō (“by nodding”), ablative singular form of innuendum (“a nodding”), gerund of innuō (“I give a nod”).

noun

1. A derogatory hint or reference to a person or thing; an implication, intimation or insinuation, usually of a sexual nature.
   She made a devious innuendo about her husband, who was embarrassed.
2. (logic) A rhetorical device with an omitted, but obvious conclusion, made to increase the force of an argument.
3. (law) Part of a pleading in cases of libel and slander, pointing out what and who was meant by the libellous matter or description.

verb

1. (transitive, law) To interpret (something libellous or slanderous) in terms of what was implied.
   A statement that a person's presence at a certain club may be "irksome," may be innuendoed that the person is of such bad character as not to be a fit associate with honourable men. 1894, Frank Towers Cooper, A Handbook of the Law of Defamation and Verbal Injury, page 119