Allude

Part of speech: verb

Pronunciation: /əˈljuːd/

Definitions

1. To make an indirect or passing reference to something without mentioning it explicitly
2. To suggest or hint at something through a subtle reference without making a direct statement or full disclosure about the subject matter
3. To refer to something indirectly through hints rather than direct mention while avoiding explicit conversation about the topic

Etymology: The Latin verb "alludere" literally meant "to play with" or "to play at," built from "ad" ("toward") and "ludere" ("to play"). Its Latin sense of playing toward something gave rise to the notion of tossing a remark in the general direction of a subject without naming it, which is the sense English later adopted. The verb reached English through Middle French "alluder," so the modern meaning of hinting obliquely traces back to a root that was originally about play. The "ludere" element is the same one behind "ludicrous," "ludic," and "elude," which shows how a single Latin verb of play spread into English in very different directions. In "allude," the playful sense has been replaced by a deliberately indirect one: the speaker touches on a subject lightly, leaving the listener to make the connection.

Synonyms: refer, hint, suggest

Antonyms: deny, disregard