- the act of suggesting.
- the state of being suggested.
- something suggested, as a piece of advice: We made the suggestion that she resign.
- a slight trace: He speaks with a suggestion of a foreign accent.
- the calling up in the mind of one idea by another by virtue of some association or of some natural connection between the ideas.
- the idea thus called up.
- the process of inducing a thought, sensation, or action in a receptive person without using persuasion and without giving rise to reflection in the recipient.
- the thought, sensation, or action induced in this way.
Origin of suggestion
Examples from the Web for suggestion
That suggestion turns absurd when you consider the long list of corrupt Democrat politicians Lynch has sent to prison.For Next AG, Obama Picks a Quiet Fighter With a Heavy Punch
November 8, 2014
At the suggestion of founder Maneesh Goyal, the company went with a Pee-wee Herman theme.The Childish Genius of Pee-wee’s Playhouse
October 23, 2014
When asked by a public radio why Cuomo sounded as if he was encouraging Clinton to run, he smiled and dismissed the suggestion.If Clinton Runs for President, Cuomo’s on Board
October 23, 2014
But Hagel just as quickly shut down the suggestion, saying he was disinclined to review the policy formally.Yes to LGB, No to T: The Pentagon Still Has a Transgender Ban
October 21, 2014
These witnesses should be of the same gender as the employee, to avoid any suggestion of a “sexual subtext”.How To Fire Your Maid, By A Russian Oligarch
October 1, 2014
The elder Milbrey, too, had met her at his son's suggestion.
At Percival's suggestion of a walk, Miss Milbrey was delighted.
There is one spot in Harrogate that has a suggestion of the early days of the town.Yorkshire Painted And Described
The main point is that I hoped she might have a suggestion to make about Hester.
The young man caught at the suggestion, and wanted to help carry it out.
- something that is suggested
- a hint or indicationa suggestion of the odour of violets
- psychol the process whereby the mere presentation of an idea to a receptive individual leads to the acceptance of that ideaSee also autosuggestion
Word Origin and History for suggestion
mid-14c., "a prompting to evil," from Anglo-French and Old French suggestioun, from Latin suggestionem (nominative suggestio) "an addition, intimation, suggestion," from suggestus, past participle of suggerere "suggest, supply, bring up," from sub "up" (see sub-) + gerere "bring, carry" (see gest). Sense evolution in Latin is from "heap up, build" to "bring forward an idea." Meaning "proposal" appeared by late 14c., but original English notion of "evil prompting" is preserved in suggestive (1630s, though the indecent aspect did not emerge until 1888). Hypnotism sense is from 1887.
- Implanting of an idea in the mind of another by a word or act so as to influence conduct or physical condition.