an expression designed to call something to mind without mentioning it explicitly; an indirect or passing reference:

｟かたく｠ «…を［への］» ほのめかすこと; 当てつけ; (間接的または手短な)言及 «to»

e.g. an allusion to Shakespeare

e.g. a classical allusion.

the practice of making allusions, especially as an artistic device:

引喩

e.g. the use of allusion.

mid 16th century (denoting a pun, metaphor, or parable): from French, or from late Latin allusio(n-), from the verb alludere (see allude).