typify

[tip-uh-fahy]

See more synonyms for typify on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), typ·i·fied, typ·i·fy·ing.

to serve as a typical example of; exemplify.
to serve as a symbol or emblem of; symbolize; prefigure.
to represent by a type or symbol.

Origin of typify

1625–35; < Latin typ(us) type + -ify

Related formstyp·i·fi·ca·tion, nountyp·i·fi·er, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for typification

case, fragment, pattern, specimen, piece, sampling, exemplar, essence, embodiment, personification, apotheosis, individual, bite, morsel, illustration, sign, instance, portion, part, indication

Examples from the Web for typification

Historical Examples of typification

The tutelary divinity was generally a typification of the national character.
The Moral and Intellectual Diversity of Races
Arthur, comte de Gobineau

British Dictionary definitions for typification

typify

verb -fies, -fying or -fied (tr)

to be typical of; characterize
to symbolize or represent completely, by or as if by a type

Derived Formstypification, nountypifier, noun

Word Origin for typify

C17: from Latin typus type + -ify

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for typification

typify

1630s, "to represent by a symbol," from Latin typus (see type (n.)) + -fy. Meaning "to serve as a typical specimen of some class, etc." is attested from 1854.