Allusion vs. Metaphor

Allusionnoun

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

Metaphornoun

The use of a word or phrase to refer to something that it is not, invoking a direct similarity between the word or phrase used and the thing described (but in the case of English without the words like or as, which would imply a simile); the word or phrase used in this way; an implied comparison.

Allusionnoun

A figurative or symbolical reference.

Metaphornoun

The use of an everyday object or concept to represent an underlying facet of the computer and thus aid users in performing tasks.

‘desktop metaphor; wastebasket metaphor’;

Allusionnoun

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

Metaphorverb

(intransitive) To use a metaphor.

Allusionnoun

passing reference or indirect mention

Metaphorverb

(transitive) To describe by means of a metaphor.

Allusionnoun

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

‘a classical allusion’; ‘an allusion to Shakespeare’;

Metaphornoun

The transference of the relation between one set of objects to another set for the purpose of brief explanation; a compressed simile; e. g., the ship plows the sea.

Allusionnoun

the practice of making allusions

‘the use of allusion’;

Metaphornoun

a figure of speech in which an expression is used to refer to something that it does not literally denote in order to suggest a similarity

Allusion

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.

Metaphornoun

a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable

‘her poetry depends on suggestion and metaphor’; ‘when we speak of gene maps and gene mapping, we use a cartographic metaphor’;

Metaphornoun

a thing regarded as representative or symbolic of something else

‘the amounts of money being lost by the company were enough to make it a metaphor for an industry that was teetering’;

Metaphor

A metaphor is a figure of speech that, for rhetorical effect, directly refers to one thing by mentioning another. It may provide (or obscure) clarity or identify hidden similarities between two different ideas.