allegory
UK: ˈæl.ɪ.ɡər.i | US: ˈæl.əˌɡɔːr.i
n. a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one
n. a symbolic representation of an abstract idea
The word "allegory" originates from Greek allegoria, combining allos (other) and agoreuein (to speak publicly). It evolved through Latin allegoria into Middle English, retaining its core idea of "speaking otherwise"—using symbolic narratives to convey deeper meanings. The morpheme leg (speak) also appears in words like "dialogue" and "prologue," reinforcing its connection to communication.
Animal Farm is an allegory for the Russian Revolution.
Medieval art often used allegory to teach religious lessons.
The film’s dystopian setting serves as an allegory for modern society.
Her poem is an allegory of human resilience.
The cave in Plato’s Republic is a famous philosophical allegory.