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prefigurement

prefigurement

9.1
A sign or early example that shows what will happen later
  • noun
  • /ˌpriːˈfɪɡərmənt/
  • Literature
translation icon : prefiguración
  • The early success of the project served as a prefigurement of its eventual expansion across the country.

Examples

  • The relation to this highest authority, this highest presence, is embodied in the innocent suffering of the Just One, here Uriah, whom Jung sees as a prefigurement of Christ.

    Academic text (1993)
  • Perhaps he cuts his throat, which would be a prefigurement of all the blood sacrifices to come.

    Academic text (2001)
  • The dark storm clouds were a clear prefigurement of the chaos that would soon follow.

  • Her dreams often acted as a prefigurement of events that would later unfold in her life.

Synonyms

omen
vsprefigurement
91 4.9

A sign or event that people think shows what will happen next

is a neutral sign or example rather than a prediction or warning
portent
vsprefigurement
  • Formal
10 8.7

A sign that something important, often bad, will happen

is a general sign rather than one of major calamity
foreshadowing
vsprefigurement
  • Literature
8 6.7

A hint early in a story that shows what will happen later

is used broadly as a sign or example beyond narrative hints
prefiguration
vsprefigurement
9.9

An event or example that shows what will happen later

is the alternative form of the same concept in usage
preindication
vsprefigurement
9.9

A sign that something important will happen soon

is more neutral suggesting future events without stressing importance

Antonyms

738 1.0

An event that happens suddenly and is not expected

How Strong

portent
  • Formal
10 8.7
omen
91 4.9
prefigurement
  • Literature
9.1
sign
3.2
indication
382 3.9
hint
229 1.5

Surface Forms

prefigurement singular

Morphology

prefigurement = prefigure (semi-transparent) = pre + figure + ment

The suffix '-ment' straightforwardly forms a noun meaning the act, result, or instance of 'prefigure'.

Etymology

The word prefigurement comes from the parts pre- meaning 'before' and figure meaning 'shape' or 'image'. A helpful way to remember it is to think of a 'figure seen before', a small sign or picture of what will come later, so a prefigurement is something that shows or suggests a future event.