Allusion vs. Image — What's the Difference?

Allusion is a figure of speech, in which an object or circumstance from unrelated context is referred to covertly or indirectly. It is left to the audience to make the direct connection.

An image (from Latin: imago) is an artifact that depicts visual perception, such as a photograph or other two-dimensional picture, that resembles a subject—usually a physical object—and thus provides a depiction of it. In the context of signal processing, an image is a distributed amplitude of color(s).

An expression designed to call something to mind without mentioning it explicitly; an indirect or passing reference

A representation of the external form of a person or thing in art

The act of alluding; indirect reference

The general impression that a person, organization, or product presents to the public

An instance of indirect reference

A simile or metaphor

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

Make a representation of the external form of

A figurative or symbolical reference.

A representation of the form of a person or object, such as a painting or photograph.

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

A sculptured likeness.

Passing reference or indirect mention

(Physics) An optically formed duplicate, counterpart, or other representative reproduction of an object, especially an optical reproduction formed by a lens or mirror.

One that closely or exactly resembles another

Likeness; semblance

The opinion or concept of something that is held by the public

The concept or character projected to the public, as by a person or institution, especially as interpreted by the mass media

A typical example or embodiment

A mental picture of something not real or present

A vivid description or representation in words, especially a metaphor or simile

(Mathematics) A set of values of a function corresponding to a particular subset of a domain.

(Computers) An exact replica of the contents of a storage device, such as a hard disk, stored on a second storage device, such as a network server.

(Obsolete) An apparition.

To make or produce a likeness of

To mirror or reflect

To make a visual representation of (an object) using remote scanning or technology such as magnetic resonance imaging

To symbolize or typify

To picture mentally; imagine or visualize

To describe, especially so vividly as to evoke a mental picture

To print (a file) using a laser printer, imagesetter, direct-to-plate press, or similar device.

To transmit (an exact replica of the contents of a storage device) to another storage device

An optical or other representation of a real object; a graphic; a picture.

A mental picture of something not real or not present.

A statue or idol.

(computing) A file that contains all information needed to produce a live working copy. (See disk image and image copy.)

A characteristic of a person, group or company etc., style, manner of dress, how one is or wishes to be perceived by others.

(mathematics) What a function maps to.

(mathematics) The subset of a codomain comprising those elements that are images of something.

(radio) A form of interference: a weaker "copy" of a strong signal that occurs at a different frequency.

(obsolete) Show; appearance; cast.

(transitive) To represent by an image or symbol; to portray.

(transitive) To reflect, mirror.

(transitive) To create an image of.

To create a complete backup copy of a file system or other entity.

An imitation, representation, or similitude of any person, thing, or act, sculptured, drawn, painted, or otherwise made perceptible to the sight; a visible presentation; a copy; a likeness; an effigy; a picture; a semblance.

Hence: The likeness of anything to which worship is paid; an idol.

Show; appearance; cast.

A representation of anything to the mind; a picture drawn by the fancy; a conception; an idea.

A picture, example, or illustration, often taken from sensible objects, and used to illustrate a subject; usually, an extended metaphor.

The figure or picture of any object formed at the focus of a lens or mirror, by rays of light from the several points of the object symmetrically refracted or reflected to corresponding points in such focus; this may be received on a screen, a photographic plate, or the retina of the eye, and viewed directly by the eye, or with an eyeglass, as in the telescope and microscope; the likeness of an object formed by reflection; as, to see one's image in a mirror.

To represent or form an image of; as, the still lake imaged the shore; the mirror imaged her figure.

To represent to the mental vision; to form a likeness of by the fancy or recollection; to imagine.

An iconic mental representation;

A visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface;

(Jungian psychology) a personal facade that one presents to the world;

A standard or typical example;

Language used in a figurative or nonliteral sense

Someone who closely resembles a famous person (especially an actor);

A representation of a person (especially in the form of sculpture);

Imagine; conceive of; see in one's mind;