archetypal
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Representing or constituting an original type after which other similar things are patterned: Describes something that serves as the perfect, fundamental, or quintessential example of a particular kind of person or thing. It is the model or prototype that defines the essential characteristics of a category.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- The story features an archetypal hero who goes on a quest to save his people.
- Her struggle is the archetypal conflict between duty and desire.
- The novel explores archetypal themes of good versus evil.
Advanced Usage
- In psychology (Jungian theory): Refers to universal, mythic characters or symbols residing in the collective unconscious.
- The "wise old man" is an archetypal figure found in myths across many cultures.
- In literary and cultural analysis: Used to describe recurring patterns, characters, or themes that are universally recognized.
- The journey into the unknown is an archetypal narrative structure.
Variants and Related Words
- Archetype (n): The original pattern or model from which all things of the same kind are copied or on which they are based.
- Odysseus is considered an archetype of the cunning hero.
- Archetypally (adv): In an archetypal manner.
- The character is archetypally evil.
Synonyms
- Quintessential: Representing the most perfect or typical example of a quality or class.
- Prototypical: Serving as a typical example of something; having the essential features of a first or early model.
- Model: Serving as an example to be imitated or compared to.
- Paradigmatic: Serving as a typical example of something.
Antonyms
- Atypical: Not representative of a type, group, or class.
- Uncharacteristic: Not typical of a particular person or thing.
- Anomalous: Deviating from what is standard, normal, or expected.
Related Phrases and Idioms
- The archetypal [noun]: A common phrase used to emphasize that something is the most definitive example.
- He is the archetypal absent-minded professor.
- Archetypal pattern: A fundamental, recurring theme or structure.
- The myth follows an archetypal pattern of death and rebirth.
Adjective
- representing or constituting an original type after which other similar things are patterned
- archetypal patterns
- she was the prototypal student activist