soustendent

Soustendent is a form of the French verb sous-entendre, meaning to imply or insinuate. It is the third-person plural present indicative: ils/elles sous-entendent. This usage describes conveying a meaning indirectly, without an explicit statement, and is common in journalism, criticism, and literary prose.

Etymology and meaning: The verb comes from sous- (under) plus entendre (to hear). The figurative sense is “to hear under” — to detect a meaning hidden beneath the surface. The noun sous-entendu denotes an insinuation or an implied meaning; the adjective sous-entendu describes something that is implied.

Usage and examples: Sous-entendre is typically followed by a clause that presents an insinuated idea. French example: Les commentateurs sous-entendent qu’il y a un lien entre les événements. English translation: The commentators imply that there is a link between the events. The construction can carry a critical or cautious tone, signaling unspoken implications rather than direct assertions.

Orthography and note: The correct spelling in standard French is sous-entendent with a hyphen. Soustendent (without a hyphen) is generally considered incorrect in standard orthography and may be seen as a misspelling.

Related terms: The verb’s cognate noun sous-entendu and the adjective sous-entendu are used to refer to the insinuation itself or to something that is implied. Common English equivalents include imply, insinuate, and allude, each with nuances tied to indirect or implied meaning.