archetype

ar·che·type

noun \ˈär-ki-ˌtīp\

Definition of ARCHETYPE

1

: the original pattern or model of which all things of the same type are representations or copies : prototype; also : a perfect example

2

: idea 1a

3

: an inherited idea or mode of thought in the psychology of C. G. Jung that is derived from the experience of the race and is present in the unconscious of the individual

— ar·che·typ·al \ˌär-ki-ˈtī-pəl\ also ar·che·typ·i·cal \-ˈti-pi-kəl\ adjective

— ar·che·typ·al·ly \-pə-lē\ also ar·che·typ·i·cal·ly \-ˈti-pi-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

Examples of ARCHETYPE

1. He is the archetype of a successful businessman.
2. an archetype of the modern family

Origin of ARCHETYPE

Latin archetypum, from Greek archetypon, from neuter of archetypos archetypal, from archein + typos type

First Known Use: 1545

Related to ARCHETYPE

Synonyms: antecedent, ancestor, daddy, foregoer, forerunner, granddaddy (also grandaddy), precursor, predecessor, prototype

Antonyms: descendant (also descendent)

Related Words: model, original; originator, sire; father, mother

Near Antonyms: by-product, derivative, offshoot, outgrowth, spin-off; daughter, son

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Other Psychology Terms

fetish, hypochondria, intelligence, mania, narcissism, neurosis, pathological, psychosis, schadenfreude, subliminal

Rhymes with ARCHETYPE

allotype, ambrotype, calotype, collotype, corncob pipe, Dutchman's-pipe, ecotype, ferrotype, genotype, guttersnipe, haplotype, holotype, Linotype, liripipe, logotype, monotype, neotype, overripe, prototype, serotype, stenotype, Teletype, tuning pipe