prefiguratively

9.1

In a way that hints at something that will happen later

adverb
/ˌpriːˈfɪɡərətɪvli/

Literature

: de manera prefigurativa

The author's use of symbolism in the first chapter prefiguratively sets the stage for the novel's climax.

Examples

It goes before and beyond the text written in 1604 and is referred to anachronistically and prefiguratively as "La Santa Liga."

Academic text (2004)
However, as that which in Christ, and prefiguratively in Genesis 1:2, is rejected, it is never in fact healed.

Academic text (2017)
The artist painted the storm prefiguratively, hinting at the chaos to come in the story.
Her dreams often revealed truths prefiguratively, showing events that would happen later.

Synonyms

presciently

vsprefiguratively

1 8.6

In a way that shows someone can predict what will happen

foreshadows by hinting rather than showing predictive ability

predictively

vsprefiguratively

Specialized

1 4.9

In a way that uses data to say what will happen next

foreshadows by suggestion not by formal prediction methods

proleptically

vsprefiguratively

Literature

9.9

By mentioning something before it happens

foreshadows events more generally not only as a literary device

How Prophetic

prophetically

Literature

2 7.4

prefiguratively

Literature

9.1

indirectly

78 4.2

Surface Forms

prefiguratively positive

Morphology

prefiguratively = prefigurative (semi-transparent) = pre + figure + ative + ly

This is a regular adverb formation from the adjective 'prefigurative' using the common suffix '-ly'.

Etymology

Prefiguratively comes from the prefix pre- meaning 'before' and the root figure meaning 'shape' or 'image', the same root you see in the common word figure. So to act prefiguratively is to show the 'shape' of something before it happens or to give a 'preview' that hints what will come.