Better Gutenberg
Free, beautifully formatted public-domain ebooks

English Synonyms and Antonyms

by James Champlin Fernald

61 of 1101 · Contents · Download EPUB

Allude.

Synonyms:

advert,indicate,intimate,point,signify,
hint,insinuate,mention,refer,suggest.
imply,

Advert, mention, and refer are used of language that more or less distinctly utters a certain thought; the others of language from which it may be inferred. We allude to a matter slightly, perhaps by a word or phrase, as it were in byplay; we advert to it when we turn from our path to treat it; we refer to it by any clear utterance that distinctly turns the mind or attention to it; as, marginal figures refer to a parallel passage; we mention a thing by explicit word, as by naming it. The speaker adverted to the recent disturbances and the remissness of certain public officers; tho he mentioned no name, it was easy to see to whom he alluded. One may hint at a thing in a friendly way, but what is insinuated is always unfavorable, generally both hostile and cowardly. One may indicate his wishes, intimate his plans, imply his opinion, signify his will, suggest a course of action. Compare SUGGESTION.

Preposition:

The passage evidently alludes to the Jewish Passover.

← Back to English Synonyms and Antonyms

Scroll to Top