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foreshadowing

noun

  1. literary technique
L320884 on Wikidata ↗

adjective

No English definition recorded for this entry.

L336898 on Wikidata ↗

Wiktionary

Pronunciation: /(ˌ)fɔːˈʃædəʊɪŋ/ / /fə-/ / /fɔɹˈʃædoʊɪŋ/

noun

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).

  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.

    The roses blooming before Rose herself bloomed was excellent foreshadowing.

    As an experienced editor I disapprove of backflashes, foreshadowings and tricksy devices […]

verb

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).

  1. present participle and gerund of foreshadow