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.
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.
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.
In*sin"u*a`ting*ly, adv. By insinuation.