Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

prefiguration

noun

/ˌpriːˈfɪɡjʊˌreɪʃən/

Definition

A representation or foreshadowing of something that will happen in the future.

Examples

The artist’s early sketches were a prefiguration of the final masterpiece.
In literature, a character’s actions might serve as a prefiguration of their later development.
The architect’s design acted as a prefiguration of the building’s innovative structure.

Meaning

Prefiguration refers to an early indication or sign of what is to come, often used in a context where something existing is seen as a precursor to a future event or reality.