Allusion

Pronunciation: /əˈluːʒən/

Allusion (noun)

  1. A brief, indirect reference to a person, event, or text, meant to be understood by readers who know the background.
  2. A small hint in speech or writing that points to something else without naming it directly.

Examples

  • The joke was a hidden reference to an old story.
  • Her speech included a hidden reference that only experts noticed.