archetype

noun ar·che·type \ˈär-ki-ˌtīp\

: a perfect example of something

Full Definition of ARCHETYPE

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

: idea 1a

: 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

See archetype defined for English-language learners

See archetype defined for kids

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)

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

Medical Dictionary

archetype

noun ar·che·type \ˈär-ki-ˌtīp\

Medical Definition of ARCHETYPE

a : a primitive generalized plan of structure deduced from the characters of a natural group of plants or animals and assumed to be the characteristic of the ancestor from which they are all descended b : the original ancestor of a group of plants or animals

: 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\ adjective