Allegories - Definitions from Dictionary.com

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Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

al·le·go·ry

Audio Help [al-uh-gawr-ee, -gohr-ee] Pronunciation Key

–noun, plural -ries.

1.	a representation of an abstract or spiritual meaning through concrete or material forms; figurative treatment of one subject under the guise of another.

2.	a symbolical narrative: the allegory of Piers Plowman.

3.	emblem (def. 3).

[Origin: 1350–1400; ME allegorie < L allégoria < Gk allégoría, deriv. of allégoreǐn to speak so as to imply something other. See allo-, agora; Gk agoreúein to speak, proclaim, orig. meant to act (e.g., speak) in the assembly

]

—Synonyms 2. fable, parable.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
Allegories

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

al·le·go·ry Audio Help (āl'ĭ-gôr'ē, -gōr'ē) Pronunciation Key
n. pl. al·le·go·ries

1. The representation of abstract ideas or principles by characters, figures, or events in narrative, dramatic, or pictorial form.
2. A story, picture, or play employing such representation. John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress and Herman Melville's Moby Dick are allegories.
A symbolic representation: The blindfolded figure with scales is an allegory of justice.

[Middle English allegorie, from Latin allēgoria, from Greek, from allēgorein, 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·go'rist n.

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