imply, implicate - 暗示，意味着

Imply means to say something in an indirect way so that it sounds less definite.

Implicate means to associate someone with something bad, such as a crime.

There's a fine line, as you can also imply that someone has committed a crime (but you don't say it directly).


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Imply-- verb (used with object), -plied, -ply⋅ing.
1. to indicate or suggest without being explicitly stated: His words implied a lack of faith.
2. (of words) to signify or mean.
3. to involve as a necessary circumstance: Speech implies a speaker.
4. Obsolete. to enfold.
Origin:
1325–75; ME implien, emplien < MF emplier < L implicāre; see implicate

Synonyms:
3. assume, include


Implicate-- im⋅pli⋅cate
   /ˈɪmplɪˌkeɪt/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [im-pli-keyt] Show IPA
–verb (used with object), -cat⋅ed, -cat⋅ing.
1. to show to be also involved, usually in an incriminating manner: to be implicated in a crime.
2. to imply as a necessary circumstance, or as something to be inferred or understood.
3. to connect or relate to intimately; affect as a consequence: The malfunctioning of one part of the nervous system implicates another part.
4. Archaic. to fold or twist together; intertwine; interlace.
Origin:
1530–40; < L implicātus ptp. of implicāre to interweave, equiv. to im- im- 1 + plicā(re) to ply 2 + -ātus -ate 1

Synonyms:
1. See involve.