allusion
Say it: uh-LOO-zhun /əˈluːʒən/ · noun
What “allusion” means
A passing hint at another story, person or event.
More precisely: An indirect reference to another work, person or event.
Example: “The title is an allusion to a Beatles song.”
When to use it
When explaining an indirect reference that readers or listeners are expected to recognise, in literary or everyday discussion.
Similar words
reference, mention, hint
Where it comes from
Latin alludere, 'to play with, refer to'.
Quick check
A story calls a tempting gift 'a wooden horse', quietly hinting at the ancient tale without explaining it. That is…
an allusion or an illusion?
Show the answer
an allusion
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