Innuendo

1. 1. Signifying; meaning. An emphatic word in the old Latin declarations in slander and libel, retained in modern practice as the name of the whole clause in which the application of the slanderous or libellous matter is explained, or pointed out

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.

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.

pleading, is an averment which explains the defendant’s meaning by reference to antecedent matter. Salk. 513; 1 Ld. Raym. 256; 12 Mod. 139; 1 Saund. 243. ‘The innuendo is mostly used is only explanatory of some matter expressed, it serves to apply the slander to the precedent matter, but cannot add or enlarge, extend, or change the sense of the previous words, and the matter to which it alludes must always appear from the antecedent parts of the declaration or indictment. 1 Chit. Pl. 383; 3 Caines’s Rep. 76; 7 Johns. R. 271; 6 Johns. R. 211; 8 Johns. R. 109. It is necessary only when the intent may be mistaken, or when it cannot be collected from the libel or slander itself. Cowp. 679; 5 East, 463. If the innuendo materially enlarge the sense of the words it will vitiate the declaration or indictment. 6 T. R. 691; 5 Binn. 218; 5 Johns. R. 220; 6 Johns. R. 83; 7 Johns. R. 271. But when the new matter stated in an innuendo is not necessary to support the action, it may be rejected as surplusage. 9 East, 95; 7 Johns. R. 272. Vide generally, Stark. on Sland. 293; 1 Chit. PI. - 383; 3 Chit. Cr. Law, 873; 6 Bac. Ab. 249; 1 Saund. 243, n. 4; 4 Com. Dig. 712; 14 Vin. Ab. 442; Dane’s Ab. Index, h. t.; 4 Co. 17.