Innuendo

This Latin word (commonly translated “meaning”) was the technical beginning of that clause in a declaration or indictment for slander or libel in which the application of the language charged to the plaintiff was pointed out. Henceit gave — its name to the whole clause; and this usage — is still retained, although an equivalent Engiish word is now substituted. Thus, it may be charged that the defendant said “he (meantng the said plaintiff) is a perjarer.” The word is also used,({though more rarely,) in other species of pleadings, to introduce an explanation of a preceding word, charge, or averment, It is suid to mean no more than the words “id est,” “seilicet,” or “meaning,” or “aforesaid,” as explanatory of a subject-matter suiliciently expressed before; as “sucha one, meaning the defendant,” or “such a subject, meaning the subject in question.”

Cowp, 683.

It is only explanatory of some matter already expressed. It serves to point out where there is precedent matter, but never for a new charge. Ib may epply what is already cupressed, but eannot add to or enlarge or change the sense of the previous words.

1 Chit. Pl. 422.