Definition of "foretype" in English

noun

1. A type or figure occurring beforehand or in advance; forerunner; predecessor; prototype

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

verb

1. (transitive) To make into a foretype, or exemplify as such; to foreshadow; exemplify beforehand

   • 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: …