to pile up literary allusions; pedantic citation
Meanings
2 senses · 5 examplesverb
to pile up literary allusions; to quote extensively from classics (often showing off erudition)
literaryDerived from the Book of Rites describing otters arranging fish. Used to criticize writing that overuses obscure classical references.
His article relies too heavily on piled-up allusions, full of obscure references that are hard to understand.
This pedantic, allusion-piling writing style, though showing off erudition, lacks genuine feeling.
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Critics accused this historical novel of merely piling up historical materials, which反而 affected the narrative pace.
verb
(of otters) to arrange fish in a row by the water's edge (as if making a sacrifice)
archaicOriginal literal meaning recorded in the Book of Rites (礼记•月令). Rarely used in modern contexts except when explaining the etymology of the metaphorical sense.
The Book of Rites - Monthly Ordinances records: 'In the month of early spring, the otters sacrifice fish.'
Ancient people observed the behavior of otters arranging fish and regarded it as a kind of natural sacrificial phenomenon.