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Insinuate

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to suggest in an indirect way

Where does the word "insinuate" come from? It comes from Latin insinuare, adopted directly into English (1520s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
insinuare
Latin · ancient
"to wind one's way in"
'in-' plus 'sinus', curve
2
Stage 2 of 2
insinuate
English · 1520s
"to introduce by winding"
the sense 'hint slyly' dates from the 1500s too
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Read the full story

Insinuate’s story begins in Latin: insinuare meant “to wind one's way in.” 'in-' plus 'sinus', curve. It reached English by 1520s as insinuate. The sense 'hint slyly' dates from the 1500s too. Today, insinuate means to suggest in an indirect way.