Definition

The act of representing or suggesting something that will happen in the future.

Example

The artist's work was a prefigurement of the changes to come in society.

Conversation

Have you ever thought about the prefigurement in stories?

Yeah, it's interesting how hints can lead to the main events.

Exactly! I love when a book has a good prefigurement that ties everything together.

Me too! It makes the ending so much more satisfying.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Prefigurement → It is formed from "pre-" (meaning before) and "figurare" (meaning to shape or form) and the suffix "-ment" (indicating the action or result of a process). The word refers to the act of shaping or forming something in advance or beforehand.

Memory Tip

Think of 'pre-' meaning before and 'figurare' meaning to shape — this helps you remember that prefigurement is about shaping something before it actually happens.

Visually Confused Words