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Allusive and Elusive

By Richard Nordquist, About.com

Something that is allusive contains (or is characterized by) indirect references. Someone or something that is elusive is hard to describe or skillful at avoiding capture. See Allude & Elude.

Examples:

Merdine called attention to the biblically allusive title of the White Stripes' CD Get Behind Me Satan. The lyrics to some of their songs are fragmented, mysterious, and elusive.

Practice:

(a) Bob Lind sang about "the bright _____ butterfly of love."

(b) The book's _____ title, Bound Upon a Wheel of Fire, is from a line in Shakespeare's King Lear.

Answers to Practice Exercises

Glossary of Usage: Index of Commonly Confused Words

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