foreshadowing

English

Etymology

From foreshadow (verb) +‎ -ing (suffix forming nouns denoting the act of doing something, an action, or the embodiment of an action; or forming present participles of verbs).

Pronunciation

Noun

foreshadowing (usually uncountable, plural foreshadowings)

  1. Synonym of foreshadow (“a suggestion of something in advance”); specifically (usually uncountable, literature, narratology), a literary device whereby an author drops hints or symbolic representations of plot developments to come later in the story.
    (literature, narratology): Coordinate terms: backshadowing, sideshadowing
    The roses blooming before Rose herself bloomed was excellent foreshadowing.
    • 2004, David Mitchell, Cloud Atlas, London: Hodder and Stoughton, →ISBN:
      As an experienced editor I disapprove of backflashes, foreshadowings and tricksy devices […]

Translations

literary device whereby an author drops hints or symbolic representations of plot developments to come later in the story

Verb

foreshadowing

  1. present participle and gerund of foreshadow

Further reading

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