foretype

English

Etymology

From fore- +‎ type.

Noun

foretype (plural foretypes)

1. A type or figure occurring beforehand or in advance; forerunner; predecessor; prototype
   • 1996, Diane Apostolos-Cappadona, Encyclopedia of Women in Religious Art:

     Their unconsummated relationship was a foretype of the chaste marriage of Mary and Joseph.

   • 2005, John Bowden, John Stephen Bowden, Christianity: The Complete Guide:

     We find the two categories of the foretype and type through which the viewer identified Jesus as the Christ, and later Mary of Nazareth as his mother, as the fulfilment Mary of what was promised or prophesied in the persons and motifs of the [...]

   • 2007, Melocacti of Cuba:

     The description corresponding to the foretype, except for the entirely dark yellow spines, which are sometimes brown at the base.

   • 2010, The City of God, Books XVII–XXII (The Fathers of the Church, Volume 24):

     It was with this same symbol in view that St. John wrote to the 'seven' Churches, meaning that he was addressing the totality of the one Church. In the Proverbs of Solomon, too, Wisdom, an ancient foretype of the Church, is said to have 'built herself a house, she hath hewn her out seven pillars.'

   • 2012, Garry Wills, Font of Life: Ambrose, Augustine, and the Mystery of Baptism:

     Paul said the passage through the sea was done “in foretype” (figura). Ambrose adds: “What was foretype for them is fact for us”.

Antonyms

• aftertype

Verb

foretype (third-person singular simple present foretypes, present participle foretyping, simple past and past participle foretyped)

1. (transitive) To make into a foretype, or exemplify as such; to foreshadow; exemplify beforehand
   • 1874, Sutton's Leisure Hour Miscellany:

     Whereupon Charlie, of four, foretyped his possible future, and the present of so many, by the exhibition of what might have been called strongly interested affection: [...]

   • 1982, John Loren Sandford, Paula Sandford, The transformation of the inner man:

     We may find ourselves going through stages foretyped by the forerunner and pioneer of our faith even as He died and arose again.

   • 2000, John Loren Sandford, Healing the Nations: A Call to Global Intercession:

     He came to the red men of the isthmus of America, and they foretyped the blood sacrifice of Jesus the Son of God—and slew thousands of young men!