typify, v.
(ˈtɪpɪfaɪ)
[f. L. typus type n.1: see -fy; cf. F. typifié(Littré).]
1. trans. To represent or express by a type or symbol; to serve as a type, figure, or emblem of; to symbolize; to prefigure.
| 1634 Wither Emblemes 5 Glorie by the wreath is typifide. 1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. v. viii. 246 We cannot well conceive the wood a burthen for a boy, but such a one unto Isaac, as that which it typified was unto Christ. 1673 Penn The Chr. a Quaker xvi. 570 How can Christ be said to be typified out? 1730 Waterland Script. Vind. Pref. 8 That Fact expresses, prefigures, or typifies, another Fact of a higher and more important Nature. 1833 H. Martineau Loom & Lugger ii. v. 103 A double death was to be typified by its fate. 1858 J. H. Newman Hist. Sk. (1873) III. ii. ii. 233 The Euxine! that strange mysterious sea, which typifies the abyss of outer darkness. 1864 Bowen Logic viii. (1870) 248 A Syllogism, which is a union of three Judgments, is appropriately typified by a triangle, a union of three lines. |
2. To serve as the typical specimen or characteristic example of (a class, family, etc.); to exhibit the essential characters of; to exemplify.
| 1854 Murchison Siluria i. (1867) 7 Fossils which might typify such supposed older sediments. 1868 Owen Anat. Vertebr. Anim. III. 374 The second deciduous molar..typifies the form of the upper sectorial, which is retained in the permanent dentition of several Viverrine and Musteline species. |
Hence ˈtypified ppl. a., ˈtypifying vbl. n. and ppl. a. Also ˈtypifier, one who typifies (rare).
| 1653 Baxter Worc. Petit. Def. 13 The typifying use may cease. 1685 ― Paraphr. N.T. Matt. v. 17 The Ceremonial part..was but a Typifying prediction of me. 1745 Warburton Remarks Occas. Refl. ii. xviii. 95 A modern Typifier, who deals only in Similitudes and Correspondences. 1851 Wardlaw Zech. v. (1869) 98 As the typical Zerubbabel finished the typical temple, so surely shall the typified finish His. |