Innuendo - Definition - Law Dictionary Home Dictionary Definition innuendo

Definition :

Innuendo [fr. innuo, Lat., to nod], a word used in statements of claim, indictments, and other pleadings, to ascertain a person or thing named before, or to connect an expression with a certain person; as to say, he (innuendo-i.e., meaning the plaintiff) did so and so, 4 Rep. 17. Its ordinary use is in actions of libel and slander, where it may be defined as 'a statement by the plaintiff of the construction which he puts upon the words himself, and which he will endeavor to in due the jury to adopt at the trial' (Odgers on Libel). Where the words prima facie are not actionable, an innuendo is essential to the action (ibid.). As to interrogatories for the purpose of establishing an innuendo, see Heaton v. Goldney, (1910) 1 KB 754.