allusion

[ uh-loo-zhuhn ]

noun

1. a passing or casual reference; an incidental mention of something, either directly or by implication:

   The novel's title is an allusion to Shakespeare.

2. the act of alluding; the making of a casual or indirect reference to something:

   The Bible is a fertile source of allusion in art.

3. Obsolete. a metaphor or parable.

allusion

/ əˈluːʒən /

noun

1. the act of alluding
2. a passing reference; oblique or obscure mention

allusion

1. An indirect reference to some piece of knowledge not actually mentioned. Allusions usually come from a body of information that the author presumes the reader will know. For example, an author who writes, “She was another Helen,” is alluding to the proverbial beauty of Helen of Troy .

Other Words From

• preal·lusion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of allusion¹

First recorded in 1540–50; Late Latin allūsiōn- (stem of allūsiō ), equivalent to allūs(us), past participle of allūdere ( allude; al- + lūd- “play” + -tus past participle suffix) + -iōn- -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of allusion¹

C16: from Late Latin allūsiō, from Latin allūdere to sport with, allude

Example Sentences

However, these statements were clearly an allusion to the former president’s refusal to accept the 2020 election outcome and the ensuing insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021, as Congress worked to certify the electoral college vote.

From Los Angeles Times

On September 3, Steinbeck’s wife Carol came up with the title “The Grapes of Wrath,” an allusion to Revelations 14:19–20 and a verse from “Battle Hymn of the Republic” by Julia Ward Howe.

From Salon

There's a fairly strong Biblical allusion in this novel, which I had never done before.

From Salon

The show’s title is also the killer’s moniker, reflecting his fascination with Biblical allusions in his baroque murder scenes Lois suspects are designed to taunt her.

From Salon

It's a movement that imagines itself to be intellectually heady, replete with allusions to ancient writers and philosophers that mostly go unread.

From Salon

Related Words

• quotation