Middle English Dictionary Entry
prēfigūren v.
Entry Info
| Forms | prēfigūren v. |
| Etymology | OF prefigurer & L praefigūrāre. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To prefigure (an event, a person), foreshadow, serve as a type of (sth.); (b) to foretell (sth.); (c) to illuminate (sth.) by a figure or parable.
Associated quotations
a
- a1500 Mirror Salv.(Beeleigh)p.6 : Ysay this crucifixionne also prefigured, Wham manasses with a sawe of tree slew and departid.
- a1500 Mirror Salv.(Beeleigh)p.20 : The doghtere of Astiage prefigured [L figuravit] oure ladye.
- a1500 Mirror Salv.(Beeleigh)p.24 : A temple made Salomon..In whilk was prefigured [L mystice..praefiguravit] the birth of oure Ladye.
- a1500 Mirror Salv.(Beeleigh)p.48 : Helisev be this seven falde in Jordanes watere wesheing Prefigured of the seven dedely synnes in baptesme forgyving.
b
- a1500(?c1425) Spec.Sacer.(Add 36791)41/18 : This feste in many places of scriptures was prefigured, prophecied, and forschewid, for in the Olde Testament speketh Ysay of the concepcioun of oure lady.
c
- a1500 Mirror Salv.(Beeleigh)p.18 : Remembre we alderfyrst oure ladies Concepcionne..lo, here of haly writte A parable how Jhesu crist some tyme prefigured itte: There went a man some tyme fro Jerusalem, [etc.].