Definition
An indirect reference to another work of literature, person, or event, typically made without explicit identification. The reference relies on the reader's knowledge to understand the connection.
Etymology
From Latin 'alludere,' meaning 'to play with' or 'to refer to mockingly,' combining 'ad-' (to) and 'ludere' (to play). The term entered English in the 16th century, evolving from its playful origins to encompass any indirect reference.
Kelly Says
Don't confuse allusion with illusion! An allusion is like a literary wink—the author assumes you'll catch the reference. Think of it as playing a game where the writer drops hints expecting you to connect the dots.
Translations
AMአማርኛ
ማስታወሻ
mah-stah-weh-shah
ARالعربية
إشارة
ee-shah-rah
CACatalà
al·lusió
ah-loo-see-oh
CSČeština
narážka
nah-rah-zkah
DADansk
henvisning
heh-vee-sning
DEDeutsch
Anspielung
ahn-shpee-loong
ELΕλληνικά
παραβολή
pah-rah-voh-lee
ESEspañol
alusión
ah-loo-see-on
FAفارسی
اشاره
ee-shah-rah
FISuomi
viittaus
vee-tah-us
FRFrançais
allusion
ah-loo-see-on
HUMagyar
utalás
oo-tah-lahsh
IDBahasa Indonesia
alusi
ah-loo-see
ITItaliano
allusione
ah-loo-see-oh-neh
MSBahasa Melayu
alusi
ah-loo-see
MYမြန်မာ
မှတ်ချက်
hmat-kyet
NLNederlands
allusie
ah-loo-see
NONorsk
henvisning
heh-vee-sning
PLPolski
aluzja
ah-loo-zhyah
PTPortuguês
alusão
ah-loo-sah-oh
RORomână
aluzie
ah-loo-zee
SVSvenska
anvisning
ahn-vee-sning
SWKiswahili
dalili
dah-lee-lee
TAதமிழ்
குறிப்பு
koo-ree-poo
TEతెలుగు
సూచన
soo-chah-nah
THไทย
การอ้างอิง
gahn ahng-ing
TLTL
pagpapahiwatig
pahg-pah-pah-hee-wah-tig
UKУкраїнська
намір
nah-meer
VITiếng Việt
đề cập
deh kahp
ZUZU
ukubika
oo-koo-bee-kah