Prefiguring — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˌprē-ˈfi-gyər/ pre·fig·ure

Meaning & Definition of Prefiguring

Prefiguring (verb)

  1. to show, suggest, or announce by an antecedent type, image, or likeness
  2. to picture or imagine beforehand

Prefiguring (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. something believed to be a sign or warning of a future event

    "the preaching of John the Baptist is generally regarded by Christians as a prefiguring of the ministry of Jesus"

    similar: augury, auspice, boding, foreboding, foreshadowing, omen, portent, presage, straw in the wind
    related: forerunner, harbinger, herald, precursor, foretaste, hint, inkling, intimation, suggestion, forewarning, forecast, foretelling, prediction, prognostication, prophecy, badge, mark, note, token, divination

Prefiguring (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to give a slight indication of beforehand

    "the first crocus traditionally prefigures the arrival of spring"

    similar: adumbrating, forerunning, foreshadowing, harbingering, heralding
    related: anticipating, foreknowing, foreseeing, forecasting, foretelling, predicting, prognosticating, prophesying, forewarning, auguring, boding, foreboding, portending, presaging, promising, alluding, connoting, hinting, implying, insinuating, intimating, suggesting

Related Entry: Prefigure (verb)

Prefigure is a different word from Prefiguring. The synonyms below are for prefigure, not for prefiguring.

  1. to give a slight indication of beforehand

    "the first crocus traditionally prefigures the arrival of spring"

    similar: adumbrate, forerun, foreshadow, harbinger, herald
    related: anticipate, foreknow, foresee, forecast, foretell, predict, prognosticate, prophesy, forewarn, augur, bode, forebode, portend, presage, promise, allude, connote, hint, imply, insinuate, intimate, suggest

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Prefiguring

The most common words with a similar meaning to Prefiguring:

augury, auspice, boding, foreboding, foreshadowing, omen, portent, presage, straw in the wind, adumbrating, forerunning, harbingering, heralding

Related Words for Prefiguring

forerunner, harbinger, herald, precursor, foretaste, hint, inkling, intimation, suggestion, forewarning, forecast, foretelling, prediction, prognostication, prophecy, badge, mark, note, token, divination, anticipating, foreknowing, foreseeing, forecasting, predicting, prognosticating, prophesying, auguring, portending, presaging

Word Forms of Prefiguring

Inflections: prefigured, prefigures

Derived words: prefigurement (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Prefiguring

Middle English, from Late Latin praefigurare, from Latin prae- pre- + figurare to shape, picture, from figura figure

First known use: 15th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Prefiguring

What does "Prefiguring" mean?

"Prefiguring" means to show, suggest, or announce by an antecedent type, image, or likeness. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to show, suggest, or announce by an antecedent type, image, or likeness. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Prefiguring"?

Other words for "Prefiguring" include augury, auspice, boding, foreboding, foreshadowing, omen, portent and presage. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Prefiguring" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Prefiguring"?

There are 51 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Prefiguring". Common alternatives include augury, auspice, boding, foreboding, foreshadowing, omen, portent, presage, straw in the wind and adumbrating.

How do you use "Prefiguring" in a sentence?

Examples of "Prefiguring" in a sentence: "the preaching of John the Baptist is generally regarded by Christians as a prefiguring of the ministry of Jesus"; "the first crocus traditionally prefigures the arrival of spring".

Is "Prefiguring" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Prefiguring" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Prefiguring"?

"Prefiguring" is pronounced /ˌprē-ˈfi-gyər/ and divided into syllables as pre·fig·ure.

What is the origin of the word "Prefiguring"?

"Prefiguring" comes from Middle English, from Late Latin praefigurare, from Latin prae- pre- + figurare to shape, picture, from figura figure. First known use: 15th century.

What is another word for "Prefiguring" meaning "something believed to be a sign or warning of a future event"?

When "Prefiguring" (noun) means something believed to be a sign or warning of a future event, synonyms include augury, auspice, boding, foreboding, foreshadowing and omen.