/
ɪnˈsɪnjʊeɪt/
v.
- suggest (something bad) in an indirect and unpleasant way.
-
(insinuate oneself into)
manoeuvre oneself gradually into (a favourable position).
- slide slowly and smoothly into a place.
Derivative
- insinuating adj.
- insinuatingly adv.
- insinuator n.
Etymology
C16 (in the sense ‘enter a document on the official register’): from L. insinuat-, insinuare ‘introduce tortuously’, from in- ‘in’ + sinuare ‘to curve’.