foretype

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

Noun

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 30:
- Their unconsummated relationship was a foretype of the chaste marriage of Mary and Joseph. - 1996, Diane Apostolos-Cappadona, Encyclopedia of Women in Religious Art:
- 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...

From fore- + type.

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: … - 1874, Sutton's Leisure Hour Miscellany
- 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 man:
- 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! - 2000, John Loren Sandford, Healing the Nations: A Call to Global...