Final answer:
An allusion is a brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing, or idea of significance without detailed description, used in figurative language.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of figurative language described in the question is an allusion. An allusion is a brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing, or idea of historical, cultural, literary, or political significance, without going into detail about it. This means that the writer or speaker assumes the audience will understand the reference. It differs from a metaphor, which makes a direct comparison between two unlike things, or a simile, which uses 'like' or 'as' to compare two things. Unlike a reference, an allusion does not explicitly name the outside work or idea. Examples of allusion can be found across different literature, such as in Shakespeare's works where he often makes allusions to Greek mythology or historical figures.