allusion
/əˈlu.ʒən/ noun
Forms allusions
- noun An indirect reference; a hint; a reference to something supposed to be known, but not explicitly mentioned.
Etymology
From Latin allūsiōnem, accusative singular of allūsiō (“the act of playing with”), from allūdō (“play with; allude”), from al-, combining form of ad (“to”), + lūdō (“play”): compare French allusion.
Webster’s 1913
- noun A figurative or symbolical reference. [Obs.]
- noun A reference to something supposed to be known, but not explicitly mentioned; a covert indication; indirect reference; a hint.
Etymology [L. allusio, fr. alludere to allude: cf. F. allusion.]
Sources: Wiktionary · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “allusion”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details