Definition of: suggestion

(səg·jes′chən, sə·jes′-) noun
1. The act of suggesting.
2. A hint; insinuation.
3. The spontaneous calling up of an idea in the mind by a connected idea.
4. Psychol. a The inducing in a person of some idea, impulse, action, or mode of behavior through a stimulus, verbal or other, coming from another person but independent of critical argument or rational persuasion, as in hypnosis. b The idea, impulse, etc., so induced. Synonyms: hint, innuendo, insinuation, intimation. A suggestion brings something before the mind less directly than by formal or explicit statement, as by a partial statement, an incidental allusion, an illustration, a question, or the like. Suggestion is often used of an unobtrusive statement of one's views or wishes to another, leaving consideration and any consequent action entirely to that person's judgment, and is hence, in many cases, the most respectful way in which to convey one's views to a superior or a stranger. An intimation is a suggestion in brief utterance, or sometimes by significant act, gesture, or token, of one's meaning or wishes; in the latter case it is often the act of a superior. A hint is still more limited in expression and more remote, and is always covert, but frequently with good intent; as, to give one a hint of danger or of opportunity. Insinuation and innuendo usually imply discredit; an insinuation is a covert or partly veiled injurious utterance; an innuendo is commonly secret as well as sly, as if pointing to something derogatory. See COUNSEL.