allusion definition - Dictionaries

Dictionary

allusion [ ə l'n ] (plural allusions)

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 a false or mistaken belief or idea, rather than a wrong impression received: Visitors often suffer under the delusion that the weather is always hot here.