an expression designed to call something to mind without mentioning it explicitly; an indirect or passing reference 影射,典故 an allusion to Shakespeare. 莎士比亚典故。 a classical allusion. 典故。 ■[mass noun]the practice of making such references, especially as an artistic device 引用典故(尤指作为艺术手段时用)
语源
mid 16th cent. (denoting a pun, metaphor, or parable): from French, or from late Latin allusio(n-), from the verb alludere (see allude)