allusion

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   An indirect reference; a hint; a reference to something supposed to be known, but not explicitly mentioned.

   I remember, before the Dwarf left the Queen, he followed us one day into thoſe gardens, and my Nurſe having ſet me down, he and I being cloſe together, near ſome Dwarf Apple trees, I muſt need ſhew my Wit, by a ſilly Alluſion between him and the Trees, which happens to hold in their Language as it doth in ours.

2. 2
   noun

   passing reference or indirect mention

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂éd Proto-Italic *ad Proto-Italic *ad- Latin ad- Latin lūdō Latin allūdō Proto-Indo-European *-tisder. Proto-Italic *-tjō Latin -tiō Latin allūsiōlbor. English allusion 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.