allusion

An allusion is a brief, indirect reference to a well-known person, place, event, or work of art, literature, or history. It relies on the audience recognizing the reference to add deeper meaning or context to what is being said or written. For example, mentioning "her Achilles' heel" alludes to Greek mythology to suggest a person's weakness. Allusions enrich communication by connecting ideas to shared knowledge, often evoking emotions or insights without extensive explanation. They are commonly used in literature, speeches, and everyday conversation to create layers of meaning efficiently.