allusion definition - Dictionary

Dictionary

al·lu·sion [ ə l'n ] (plural al·lu·sions)

noun

Definition:

1. indirect reference: an indirect reference to somebody or something

He made an allusion to marital problems.

2. act of alluding: the act of making an indirect reference to somebody or something

[Early 17th century. Directly or via French< late Latin allusion-< Latin allus-, past participle of alludere (see allude)]

Word Usage


	allusion, delusion, or illusion? Allusion and illusion are the closest in sound but the furthest apart in meaning: an allusion is an indirect reference to a person, thing, or event: The story contained an allusion to her childhood in Africa. An illusion is something that deceives the senses or mind: The shimmering effect on a hot road is an optical illusion.By shutting himself in his room for hours he kept up an illusion of studying hard.Illusion and delusion are similar in meaning, but delusion denotes something falsely believed, often harmfully, rather than a wrong impression received: Visitors often suffer under the delusion that the weather is always hot here.