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 Word Forms

• preallusion 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

The trophy features many nods from the 60-year-old musician, including a hand-drawn “cresting wave” illustration and an arrow and mod symbol — an allusion to Vedder’s tribute to the Who on his personal guitar.

From Los Angeles Times

His allusions can be as distracting as they are resonant.

From Los Angeles Times

His first book of essays, Musical Thoughts and Afterthoughts, published in 1976, contained allusions to his musical work, but was not limited by it.

From BBC

That was an obvious allusion to the dropping of DEI initiatives.

From Los Angeles Times

It was a Russian nesting doll of menswear, with allusions to every tool in Browne’s prodigious toolbox of suiting.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• quotation