allusion

allusion
/euh looh"zheuhn/, n.
1. a passing or casual reference; an incidental mention of something, either directly or by implication: an allusion to Shakespeare.
2. the act of alluding.
3. Obs. a metaphor; parable.
[1540-50; < LL allusion- (s. of allusio), equiv. to allus(us), ptp. of alludere (see ALLUDE; al- AL- + lud- play + -tus ptp. suffix) + -ion- -ION]

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      in literature, an implied or indirect reference to a person, event, or thing or to a part of another text. Allusion is distinguished from such devices as direct quote and imitation or parody. Most allusions are based on the assumption that there is a body of knowledge that is shared by the author and the reader and that therefore the reader will understand the author's referent. Allusions to biblical figures and figures from classical mythology are common in Western literature for this reason. However, some authors, such as T.S. Eliot (Eliot, T.S.) and James Joyce (Joyce, James), deliberately use obscure and complex allusions that they know few people would understand. Similarly, an allusion can be used as a straightforward device to enhance the text by providing further meaning, but it can also be used in a more complex sense to make an ironic (irony) comment on one thing by comparing it to something that is dissimilar. The word is from the late Latin allusio meaning “a play on words” or “game” and is a derivative of the Latin word alludere, meaning “to play around” or “to refer to mockingly.”

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • allusion — [ a(l)lyzjɔ̃ ] n. f. • 1558; « jeu de mots » 1674; bas lat. allusio ♦ Manière d éveiller l idée d une personne ou d une chose sans en faire expressément mention; parole, écrit utilisant ce procédé. ⇒ insinuation, sous entendu. Une allusion claire …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • allusion — ALLUSION. s. f. (On pron. les L.) Figure de Rhétorique, par laquelle on fait sentir la convenance, le rapport que des choses ou des personnes ont l une avec l autre. Allusion ingénieuse. Allusion forcée. Allusion froide et insipide. Allusion… …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie Française 1798

  • allusion — ALLUSION. s. f. Maniere d expression où il y a un jeu sur des mots qui ont de la ressemblance. Ingenieuse, plaisante allusion. les allusions frequentes sur les mots ne sont pas du bon goust. Allusion, Se dit aussi de certains mots par lesquels on …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie française

  • Allusion — Al*lu sion, n. [L. allusio, fr. alludere to allude: cf. F. allusion.] 1. A figurative or symbolical reference. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] 2. A reference to something supposed to be known, but not explicitly mentioned; a covert indication; indirect… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • allusion — (n.) 1540s, from L. allusionem (nom. allusio) a playing with, a reference to, noun of action from pp. stem of alludere (see ALLUDE (Cf. allude)). An allusion is never an outright or explicit mention of the person or thing the speaker seems to… …   Etymology dictionary

  • Allusĭon — (v. lat.), Anspielung, Hindeutung auf einen Gegenstand, dessen Vorstellung man mittelst einer, mit dieser in näherem Zusammenhang stehenden erweckt. Hauptsächlich kommt die bildliche A. oft vor in einer allgemeineren Vorstellung durch einen… …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Allusion — (lat.), Anspielung …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

  • Allusion — (lat.), Anspielung, Hindeutung …   Kleines Konversations-Lexikon

  • Allusion — Allusion, s. Anspielung …   Damen Conversations Lexikon

  • Allusion — Allusion, Anspielung, Vergleichung einer Person mit einer historischen Person …   Herders Conversations-Lexikon

  • allusion — index attribution, connotation, hint, implication (inference), indication, inference, innuendo, insinu …   Law dictionary

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