speech or writing that departs from literal meaning in order to achieve a special effect or meaning, speech or writing employing figures of speech
Symbolism
the practice of representing things by symbols, or of investing things with a symbolic meaning or character.
Allusion
a passing or casual reference; an incidental mention of something, either directly or by implication: an allusion to Shakespeare.
Connotation
the associated or secondary meaning of a word or expression in addition to its explicit or primary meaning: A possible connotation of “home” is “a place of warmth, comfort, and affection.” Compare
Analogy
a similarity between like features of two things, on which a comparison may be based: the analogy between the heart and a pump.
Irony
the use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning: the irony of her reply, “How nice!” when I said I had to work all weekend.
