Insinuant to Insoul
Insinuant
(In*sin"u*ant) a. [L. insinuans, p. pr.: cf. F. insinuant.] Insinuating; insinuative. [Obs.]
Insinuate
(In*sin"u*ate) v. t. [imp. & p. p. Insinuated ; p. pr. & vb. n. Insinuating.] [L. insinuatus,
p. p. of insinuareto insinuate; pref. in- in + sinus the bosom. See Sinuous.]
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.
Woodward. 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.
Locke.
Horace laughs to shame all follies and insinuates virtue, rather by familiar examples than by the severity
of precepts.
Dryden. 3. To hint; to suggest by remote allusion; — often used derogatorily; as, did you mean to insinuate anything?
4. To push or work 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.
Clarendon. Syn. — To instill; hint; suggest; intimate.
Insinuate
(In*sin"u*ate), 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.
Shak.
To insinuate, flatter, bow, and bend my limbs.
Shak. Insinuating
(In*sin"u*a`ting) a. Winding, creeping, or flowing in, quietly or stealthily; suggesting; winning
favor and confidence insensibly. Milton.
His address was courteous, and even insinuating.
Prescott. Insinuatingly
(In*sin"u*a`ting*ly), adv. By insinuation.
Insinuation
(In*sin"u*a`tion) n. [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.
