archetype

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noun

Definition of ARCHETYPE

1

something belonging to an earlier time from which something else was later developed <the abacus is sometimes cited as the archetype of the modern digital calculator>

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

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

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

Antonyms descendant (also descendent)

2

something from which copies are made <Beowulf is considered by some scholars to be the archetype for medieval British heroic tales>

Synonyms archetype, prototype

Related Words source; example, mold, paradigm, pattern; beau ideal, classic, exemplar, ideal, model, nonpareil, paragon; blueprint, draft

Near Antonyms copy, imitation, replica, reproduction; counterfeit, fake, forgery, sham