Meanings
plural foretypes
- A type or figure occurring beforehand or in advance; forerunner; predecessor; prototype
The last member of the trilogy could not well rival in pathos the Homeric foretype[…]
1924, Herbert Weir Smyth, “I. Introduction”, in Aeschylean Tragedy, page 305 more examples
Their unconsummated relationship was a foretype of the chaste marriage of Mary and Joseph.
1996, Diane Apostolos-Cappadona, Encyclopedia of Women in Religious ArtWe 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 [...]
2005, John Bowden, John Stephen Bowden, Christianity: The Complete GuideThe description corresponding to the foretype, except for the entirely dark yellow spines, which are sometimes brown at the base.
2007, Melocacti of CubaIt 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.'
2010, The City of God, Books XVII–XXII (The Fathers of the Church, Volume 24)Paul said the passage through the sea was done “in foretype” (figura). Ambrose adds: “What was foretype for them is fact for us”.
2012, Garry Wills, Font of Life: Ambrose, Augustine, and the Mystery of Baptism
present singular third person foretypes · participle present foretyping · participle past foretyped · past foretyped
- transitiveTo make into a foretype, or exemplify as such; to foreshadow; exemplify beforehand
We may find ourselves going through stages foretyped by the forerunner and pioneer of our faith even as He died and arose again.
1982, John Loren Sandford, Paula Sandford, The transformation of the inner man2 more examples
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: …
1874, Sutton's Leisure Hour MiscellanyHe 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!
2000, John Loren Sandford, Healing the Nations: A Call to Global Intercession
Synonyms & antonyms
Origin
Cite this entry
foretype. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/foretype
“foretype.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/foretype. Accessed November 2, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “foretype,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/foretype.
Source: foretype on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.