al·le·go·ry ( l  -gôr  , -g r)n. pl. al·le·go·ries 1. a. The representation of abstract ideas or principles by characters, figures, or events in narrative, dramatic, or pictorial form. b. A story, picture, or play employing such representation. John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress and Herman Melville's Moby Dick are allegories. 2. A symbolic representation: The blindfolded figure with scales is an allegory of justice. [Middle English allegorie, from Latin all goria, from Greek, from allgorein, to interpret allegorically : allos, other; see al-1 in Indo-European roots + agoreuein, to speak publicly (from agora, marketplace; see ger- in Indo-European roots).]al le·gorist n. |
allegory [ˈælɪgərɪ]
n pl -ries
1. (Literary & Literary Critical Terms) (Fine Arts & Visual Arts / Art Terms) a poem, play, picture, etc., in which the apparent meaning of the characters and events is used to symbolize a deeper moral or spiritual meaning
2. (Literary & Literary Critical Terms) (Fine Arts & Visual Arts / Art Terms) the technique or genre that this represents
3. (Literary & Literary Critical Terms) (Fine Arts & Visual Arts / Art Terms) use of such symbolism to illustrate truth or a moral
4. anything used as a symbol or emblem
[from Old French allegorie, from Latin allēgoria, from Greek, from allēgorein to speak figuratively, from allos other + agoreuein to make a speech in public, from agora a public gathering]
allegorist n
allegory
an art form, as a story, painting, or sculpture, in which the components have a symbolic, figurative meaning. — allegorist, allegorizer, n. — allegorical, adj.
See also: Representationan art form, as a story, painting, or sculpture, in which the components have a symbolic, figurative meaning. — allegorist, allegorizer, n. — allegorical, adj.
See also: Artan art form, as a story, painting, or sculpture, in which the components have a symbolic, figurative meaning. — allegorist, allegorizer, n. — allegorical, adj.
See also: Literature
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  allegory - a short moral story (often with animal characters)story - a piece of fiction that narrates a chain of related events; "he writes stories for the magazines" Aesop's fables - a collection of fables believed to have been written by the Greek storyteller Aesop |
| 2. | allegory - a visible symbol representing an abstract idea symbolic representation, symbolisation, symbolization, symbol - something visible that by association or convention represents something else that is invisible; "the eagle is a symbol of the United States" scarlet letter - the letter A in red; Puritans required adulterers to wear it cupid - a symbol for love in the form of a cherubic naked boy with wings and a bow and arrow donkey - the symbol of the Democratic Party; introduced in cartoons by Thomas Nast in 1874 dove - an emblem of peace eagle - an emblem representing power; "the Roman eagle" elephant - the symbol of the Republican Party; introduced in cartoons by Thomas Nast in 1874 fasces - bundle of rods containing an axe with the blade protruding; in ancient Rome it was a symbol of a magistrate's power; in modern Italy it is a symbol of fascism national flag, ensign - an emblem flown as a symbol of nationality hammer and sickle - the emblem on the flag of the Soviet Union red flag - the emblem of socialist revolution Magen David, Mogen David, Shield of David, Solomon's seal, Star of David - a six-pointed star formed from two equilateral triangles; an emblem symbolizing Judaism badge - an emblem (a small piece of plastic or cloth or metal) that signifies your status (rank or membership or affiliation etc.); "they checked everyone's badge before letting them in" Agnus Dei, Paschal Lamb - figure of a lamb; emblematic of Christ maple-leaf - the emblem of Canada medallion - an emblem indicating that a taxicab is registered spread eagle - an emblem (an eagle with wings and legs spread) on the obverse of the Great Seal of the United States Hakenkreuz, swastika - the official emblem of the Nazi Party and the Third Reich; a cross with the arms bent at right angles in a clockwise direction | |
| 3. | allegory - an expressive style that uses fictional characters and events to describe some subject by suggestive resemblances; an extended metaphor expressive style, style - a way of expressing something (in language or art or music etc.) that is characteristic of a particular person or group of people or period; "all the reporters were expected to adopt the style of the newspaper" |
allegory
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