allusion

Oblique literary reference

An allusion is an indirect reference to something—a person, event, work of art, or text—that the speaker assumes the audience will recognize: The title "East of Eden" is an allusion to Genesis.

Unlike direct references, allusions work by suggestion rather than explicit naming.

To allude is to make such a reference: She alluded to his past troubles without naming them.

indirect

hint

Indirect suggestion

innuendoOblique disparaging remark
insinuationIndirect, usually negative suggestion
intimationIndirect indication of something

suggestion · implication · oblique · veiled · tacit · subtle · elliptical · covert · understated · coded

figurative

allegory

Symbolic tale with deeper meaning

symbolismRepresenting concepts through images
analogyExplanatory likeness between things
metaphorImplied identity comparison

parable · typology · emblem · figure · trope · imagery · connotation · subtext · double meaning · layered

literary

intertextuality

Connections between written works

homageExpression of deep respect
echoReflected sound wave
quotationCited passage or price

pastiche · parody · adaptation · epigraph · foreshadowing · motif · archetype · biblical · classical · mythological

reference

citation

Mention of a source

mentionBrief verbal acknowledgment
nodBrief head tilt
acknowledgmentConfirmation of receipt

invocation · evocation · callback · cross-reference · attribution · credit · source · annotation · footnote · name-dropping

cultural

mythology

Body of traditional tales

folkloreInherited cultural narratives
scriptureSacred religious writings
legendUnverified traditional tale

proverb · idiom · cliché · commonplace · touchstone · canon · tradition · lore · heritage · collective memory

allusion

hint

allegory

intertextuality

citation

mythology

allusion

Opposites

Phrases

Categories

Family