Allegory: meaning, definitions and examples

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allegory

 

[ หˆalษชษก(ษ™)ri ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

literature

A story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.

Synonyms

metaphor, parable, symbolism

Examples of usage

  • Animal Farm by George Orwell is an allegory of the Russian Revolution.
  • The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis is an allegory of Christianity.
Context #2 | Noun

art

A form of extended metaphor in which objects, persons, and actions in a narrative are equated with the meanings that lie outside the narrative itself.

Synonyms

figuration, representation, symbolism

Examples of usage

  • The painting 'The Garden of Earthly Delights' by Hieronymus Bosch is considered an allegory of sin and redemption.

Translations

Translations of the word "allegory" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น alegoria

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคฐเฅ‚เคชเค•

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Allegorie

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ alegori

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฐะปะตะณะพั€ั–ั

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ alegoria

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๅฏ“ๆ„

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท allรฉgorie

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ alegorรญa

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท alegori

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์šฐํ™”

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฑู…ุฒ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ alegorie

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ alegรณria

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅฏ“่จ€

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ alegorija

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ dรฆmisaga

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฐะปะปะตะณะพั€ะธั

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒแƒšแƒ”แƒ’แƒแƒ แƒ˜แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ alleqoriya

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ alegorรญa

Etymology

The word 'allegory' originated from the Greek word 'allegoria', which means speaking figuratively. It has been used in literature and art for centuries to convey deeper meanings and messages through symbolic representations. Allegories have been a powerful tool for authors and artists to explore complex ideas and make social or political commentary in a more subtle and engaging way.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #13,933, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.