allegoresis

9.9

Interpreting a text, speech, or picture as a story that stands for other ideas

noun
/ˌælɪɡəˈriːsɪs/

Literature

: alegoría

Medieval scholars often employed allegoresis to explain Biblical passages.

Examples

The professor encouraged the use of allegoresis when analyzing classical literature.
Many artists use allegoresis to convey deeper meanings.
His essay was criticized for relying too heavily on allegoresis rather than direct interpretation.
The professor discussed allegoresis in his lecture on literature.
Medieval scholars often employed allegoresis to explain Biblical passages.
His essay was criticized for relying too heavily on allegoresis rather than direct interpretation.
The professor encouraged the use of allegoresis when analyzing classical literature.

Synonyms

allegorization

vsallegoresis

Literature

9.2

A way of telling a story that stands for a deeper meaning

focuses on interpretation rather than on presenting or performance

How Allegorical

allegoresis

Literature

9.9

allegorism

Literature

9.9

literal interpretation

3 4.9

Surface Forms

allegoresis singular

allegoreses plural

Morphology

allegoresis = allegory (semi-transparent) = allegory + esis

Formed from 'allegory' + the noun-forming suffix '-esis' so the basic sense 'the act/process relating to allegory' is recoverable, but '-esis' is a rare, technical suffix that many learners may not recognise.

Etymology

Allegoresis comes from the same root as allegory, a word for a story that hides a second or 'other' meaning. So allegoresis is the practice of interpreting writing or art as an allegory, looking for that 'other' meaning under the surface.