Definitions

1. verb

to foreshadow or indicate the future

“The economic downturn in 2008 prefigured a global crisis.”

2. verb

to represent or symbolize something in advance

“The new sculpture prefigured the artist’s future style.”

3. noun

a preceding or introductory event or situation

“The company’s financial struggles were a prefigure of the industry’s downturn.”

4. noun

a representation or symbol of something in advance

“The artist’s new sculpture was a prefigure of her future style.”