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Prefigured: meaning, definitions and examples

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prefigured

 

[ ˈpriːfɪɡərd ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

foretelling events

To prefigure means to suggest or represent something in advance, often an event or a concept. It implies an anticipation or a foreshadowing of something that will happen later. The term is often used in literary contexts where an author hints at future developments. It can also pertain to the visual representation of an event or idea before it actually occurs.

Synonyms

anticipate, foreshadow, foretell, portend

Examples of usage

  • The novel's opening scene prefigured the tragic events to come.
  • Her dreams seemed to prefigure the upcoming chaos.
  • The artist's early work prefigured his later masterpieces.

Translations

Translations of the word "prefigured" in other languages:

🇵🇹 prefigurado

🇮🇳 पूर्वनिर्धारित

🇩🇪 vorbestimmt

🇮🇩 terprediksi

🇺🇦 попередньо визначений

🇵🇱 przewidziany

🇯🇵 前もって定められた

🇫🇷 préfiguré

🇪🇸 prefigurado

🇹🇷 önceden belirlenmiş

🇰🇷 미리 정해진

🇸🇦 محدد مسبقًا

🇨🇿 předurčený

🇸🇰 predurčený

🇨🇳 预设的

🇸🇮 predviden

🇮🇸 fyrirfram

🇰🇿 алдын ала белгіленген

🇬🇪 წინასწარ განსაზღვრული

🇦🇿 öncədən müəyyən edilmiş

🇲🇽 prefigurado

Etymology

The word 'prefigure' comes from the Latin root 'praefigurare', which means 'to shape beforehand'. It combines 'prae-', meaning 'before', and 'figurare', which translates to 'to shape' or 'to form'. This concept has been present in literature and art for centuries, where authors and artists alike have used the technique of foreshadowing to create tension and suspense. The term took on a more specific meaning in theological discussions, particularly in relation to biblical prophecy, where events in the Old Testament are seen as prefiguring those in the New Testament. Over time, 'prefigure' has been adopted in various fields, including psychology and philosophy, to describe predictions or manifestations of future events based on present or past observations.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #29,073, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.