allusion

Noun

Meaning

A figurative or symbolical reference.

A reference to something supposed to be known, but not explicitly mentioned; a covert indication; indirect reference; a hint.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Hypernyms

Related terms

Phrases with the word

Examples

The pages of the Law Reports reflect as much his legal learning and contribution to the development of the law, as his erudition; his judgments were all written with elegance and were often infused with the appropriate literary allusion. Mohammad Hidayatullah

And rather than make the book unwieldy I have eschewed notes-reluctantly when some obscure passage or allusion seemed to ask for a timely word; with more equanimity when the temptation was to criticize or 'appreciate.' For the function of the anthologist includes criticizing in silence. Arthur Quiller-Couch

To his ancestors (to a Persian's ancestors) Macedonians were only known as 'yona takabara', the 'Greeks who wear shields on their heads', an allusion to their broad-brimmed hats. Robin Lane Fox

I think we must quote whenever we feel that the allusion is interesting or helpful or amusing. Clifton Fadiman

Adam Smith himself was under no allusion about the desire of individuals, particularly business men, to create privileged positions for themselves. Eric Roll, Baron Roll of Ipsden

I scarcely express myself too strongly in saying, that any allusion in the Convention to the subject you have so much at heart would have been a spark to a mass of gunpowder. James Madison

Close letter words and terms