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.
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 (one's self), 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.