Alluders

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Those who mention a subject in an indirect way, hinting at it rather than naming it openly
2. People who make passing or implied reference to something without stating it plainly
3. Speakers or writers who suggest a topic by oblique hints instead of direct mention

Etymology: "Alluders" is the plural of "alluder," a person who alludes, which is to say someone who makes an indirect reference to something without stating it outright. The noun is formed by adding the agent suffix "-er" to "allude," so the structure is simple: the verb supplies the action and the suffix names the one performing it. "Allude" itself comes from Latin "alludere," meaning "to play at, to jest, or to make sport of," built from "ad-" ("to") and "ludere" ("to play"). The Latin sense of playfulness is still faintly present, since an allusion is a light, sideways touch rather than a direct statement.