Definitions for Allegory
ˈæl əˌgɔr i, -ˌgoʊr ial·le·go·ry

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:3.5 / 2 votes

1. fable, parable, allegory, apologuenoun

   a short moral story (often with animal characters)

2. emblem, allegorynoun

   a visible symbol representing an abstract idea

3. allegorynoun

   an expressive style that uses fictional characters and events to describe some subject by suggestive resemblances; an extended metaphor

WiktionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. allegorynoun

   The representation of abstract principles by characters or figures.

2. allegorynoun

   A picture, book, or other form of communication using such representation.

3. allegorynoun

   A symbolic representation.

4. Etymology: From allegorie, from allegorie, from allegoria, from ἀλληγορία, from ἄλλος + ἀγορεύω

Samuel Johnson's DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. ALLEGORYnoun

   A figurative discourse, in which something other is intended, than is contained in the words literally taken; as, wealth is the daughter of diligence, and the parent of authority.

   Etymology: ἀλληγοϱία.

   Neither must we draw out our allegory too long, lest either we make ourselves obscure, or fall into affectation, which is childish. Ben Jonson, Discovery.

   This word nympha meant nothing else but, by allegory, the vegetative humour or moisture that quickeneth and giveth life to trees and flowers, whereby they grow. Henry Peacham.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Allegory

   As a literary device or artistic form, an allegory is a narrative or visual representation in which a character, place, or event can be interpreted to represent a hidden meaning with moral or political significance. Authors have used allegory throughout history in all forms of art to illustrate or convey complex ideas and concepts in ways that are comprehensible or striking to its viewers, readers, or listeners. Writers and speakers typically use allegories to convey (semi-)hidden or complex meanings through symbolic figures, actions, imagery, or events, which together create the moral, spiritual, or political meaning the author wishes to convey. Many allegories use personification of abstract concepts.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. allegory

   An allegory is a literary, dramatic, or artistic work that uses symbolic figures, actions, or representations to express abstract ideas, moral principles, or universal truths. It is a way of telling a story on two levels: the literal and the metaphorical or symbolic. The characters and events in an allegory represent more than their literal selves, they stand for a deeper, often spiritual or philosophical, concept.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:4.0 / 1 vote

1. Allegorynoun

   a figurative sentence or discourse, in which the principal subject is described by another subject resembling it in its properties and circumstances. The real subject is thus kept out of view, and we are left to collect the intentions of the writer or speaker by the resemblance of the secondary to the primary subject

2. Allegorynoun

   anything which represents by suggestive resemblance; an emblem

3. Allegorynoun

   a figure representation which has a meaning beyond notion directly conveyed by the object painted or sculptured

WikidataRate this definition:5.0 / 1 vote

1. Allegory

   Allegory is a literary device in which characters or events in a literary, visual, or musical art form represent or symbolize ideas and concepts. Allegory has been used widely throughout the histories of all forms of art; a major reason for this is its immense power to illustrate complex ideas and concepts in ways that are easily digestible and tangible to its viewers, readers, or listeners. An allegory conveys its hidden message through symbolic figures, actions, imagery, and/or events. Allegory is generally treated as a figure of rhetoric; a rhetorical allegory is a demonstrative form of representation conveying meaning other than the words that are spoken. As a literary device, an allegory in its most general sense is an extended metaphor. One of the best known examples is Plato's "Allegory of the Cave." In this allegory, there are a group of people who have lived chained to the wall of a cave all of their lives, facing a blank wall. The people watch shadows projected on the wall by things passing in front of a fire behind them and begin to ascribe forms to these shadows. According to the allegory, the shadows are as close as the prisoners get to viewing reality.

Chambers 20th Century DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Allegory

   al′le-gor-i, n. a description of one thing under the image of another.—adjs. Allegor′ic, -al, in the form of an allegory: figurative.—adv. Allegor′ically.—v.t. Al′legorise, to put in form of an allegory.—v.i. to use allegory.—ns. Al′legorist, one who uses allegory; Allegorizā′tion. [Gr. allēgoria; allos, other, and agoreuein, to speak.]

The Nuttall EncyclopediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Allegory

   a figurative mode of representation, in which a subject of a higher spiritual order is described in terms of that of a lower which resembles it in properties and circumstances, the principal subject being so kept out of view that we are left to construe the drift of it from the resemblance of the secondary to the primary subject.

Matched Categories

1. • Expressive Style
   • Symbol

Usage in printed sourcesFrom: 

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How to pronounce Allegory?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say Allegory in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of Allegory in Chaldean Numerology is: 7

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of Allegory in Pythagorean Numerology is: 5

Examples of Allegory in a Sentence

1. J. R. R. Tolkien:

   I cordially dislike allegory in all its manifestations, and always have done since I grew old and wary enough to detect its presence.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=Allegory
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Allegory
3. ^ Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
   https://johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/views/search.php?term=Allegory
4. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allegory
5. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
6. ^ Webster Dictionary
   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Allegory
7. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=Allegory
8. ^ Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
   https://www.gutenberg.org/files/37683/37683-h/37683-h.htm#:~:text=Allegory
9. ^ The Nuttall Encyclopedia
   https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/12342/pg12342-images.html#Allegory
10. ^ Usage in printed sources
    https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=Allegory