foreshadowing
nounUK /(ˌ)fɔːˈʃædəʊɪŋ/ · US /fɔɹˈʃædoʊɪŋ/
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
Usually 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 […]2004, David Mitchell, Cloud Atlas, London: Sceptre (Hodder and Stoughton), →ISBN: