prototypical
/prototypical/
Học thuậtThân thiện
She is the prototypical student activist, organizing a peaceful rally on campus.
Definition
- Adjective:
- Representing or constituting an original type after which other similar things are patterned: Being the first, typical, or most representative example of a particular kind of person or thing, serving as a model or archetype.
Usage
The adjective "prototypical" is used to describe something that is the quintessential or most characteristic example of a category. It emphasizes the idea of being the original or fundamental model from which other members of the group are derived or compared. It is a formal term often used in academic, technical, and analytical contexts.
Examples
- Adjective:
- The Volkswagen Beetle is often considered the prototypical compact car.
- His methodical approach and relentless curiosity made him the prototypical research scientist.
- The novel presents a prototypical hero's journey, complete with trials and ultimate victory.
Advanced Usage
- In Linguistics: In cognitive linguistics, a "prototypical" member of a category is the one that best exemplifies that category (e.g., a robin is a more prototypical bird than a penguin).
- In semantic studies, a sparrow is used as a prototypical example of the category "bird".
- In Design and Engineering: Refers to the first full-scale, functional model of a new product.
- The engineers built a prototypical version of the engine to test its core concepts.
Variants and Related Words
- Prototype (n): The original model or first example of something from which other forms are copied or developed.
- The company unveiled the prototype of its new electric vehicle.
- Prototypal (adj): A less common variant with the same meaning as "prototypical".
- She was described as the prototypal activist for the cause.
Synonyms
- Archetypal: Representing the most perfect or typical example of a quality or class.
- Quintessential: Representing the most perfect or typical example of a quality or class.
- Exemplary: Serving as a desirable model; very good.
- Model: Serving as an example to be imitated or compared.
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.
She is the prototypical student activist, organizing a peaceful rally on campus.
Adjective
- representing or constituting an original type after which other similar things are patterned
- archetypal patterns
- she was the prototypal student activist