Innuendo

With the meaning; thereby meaning. A clause in a pleading explanatory of a preceding word or averment. The same in effect as " that is to say." While used almost exclusively in actions for defamation, it may be inserted in declarations in other actions, to explain the meaning of a written instrument. ■ In a declaration for slander or libel, explains the words uttered; annexes to them their proper meaning.* It cannot enlarge or extend the sense of expressions beyond their usual, natural import, unless something is put upon the record by way of introductory matter with which they can be connected. Then, words which are equivocal or ambiguous, or fall short in their natural sense of importing any defamatory charge, may have fixed to them a meaning certain and defamatory, extending beyond their ordinary import.'* If the words impute an infamous crime punishable by law, an inmtendo, undertaking to state the same in other words, is superfluous; if they do not, an innuendo cannot aid the averment^ as it is a clear rule of law that an innuendo cannot introduce a meaning broader than that the words naturally bear, unless connected with proper introductory averments.* See Colloquium; Libel, 5; Slander.