analogy
n. C / Un. a comparison between two things that are similar in some way. You use it to help someone understand a difficult idea by comparing it to something easier.
n. a comparison between two things, typically on the basis of their structure and for the purpose of explanation or clarification. Often involves mapping the relationship between one set of concepts onto another.
He used the analogy of a computer to explain how the brain works.
The teacher drew an analogy between the flow of water in pipes and the movement of electricity through wires.
To illustrate the concept of social hierarchy, the philosopher employed an analogy of a beehive where every individual has a predetermined role that serves the collective good.
From Latin analogia, from Ancient Greek ἀναλογίᾱ (analogíā), from ἀνα- (ana-) + λόγος (lógos, “speech, reckoning”).
Often takes the preposition 'between' to link two items, or 'to' when comparing one thing to another.
an analogy about the heartan analogy for the heartWhen describing what the comparison represents, 'for' or 'of' is used rather than 'about'.