hint · glancing · brief · offhand · casual · footnote · tangent · oblique · whisper · brush · skim · touch · cursory · throwaway · parenthetical · sidelong · gesture · wink
IDEA.org / Words / passing reference
Related — mention (Brief verbal acknowledgment); allusion (Indirect reference to something); nod (Brief head tilt); aside · fleeting · hint · glancing · brief · offhand · casual · footnote · tangent · oblique
depth of treatmentpassing reference ≠ deep dive Comprehensive examination of topic; close reading · in-depth analysis · comprehensive coverage
emphasis and prominencepassing reference ≠ direct address Speaking to someone named; focal point · sustained attention · primary concern
Word data: Linguabase (CC0) · www.idea.org/words/passing_reference