archetypical

ar·che·type  (ärk-tp)

n.

1. An original model or type after which other similar things are patterned; a prototype: "'Frankenstein' . . . 'Dracula' . . . 'Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' . . . the archetypes that have influenced all subsequent horror stories" (New York Times).

2. An ideal example of a type; quintessence: an archetype of the successful entrepreneur.

3. In Jungian psychology, an inherited pattern of thought or symbolic imagery derived from the past collective experience and present in the individual unconscious.

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[Latin archetypum, from Greek arkhetupon, from neuter of arkhetupos, original : arkhe-, arkhi-, archi- + tupos, model, stamp.]

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arche·typal (-tpl), arche·typic (-tpk), arche·typi·cal adj.

arche·typi·cal·ly adv.

Usage Note: The ch in archetype, and in other English words of Greek origin such as architect and chorus, represents a transliteration of Greek X (chi), and is usually pronounced like (k). In a recent survey, 94 percent of the Usage Panel indicated that they pronounce archetype (ärk-tp), with a (k) sound, while 6 percent preferred the pronunciation (ärch-tp), with a (ch) sound. Of those who preferred the traditional (k) pronunciation, 10 percent noted that the (ch) pronunciation was also acceptable. Only the traditional pronunciation is widely accepted as standard, however.

Thesaurus

Adj.

1.

archetypical - representing or constituting an original type after which other similar things are patterned; "archetypal patterns"; "she was the prototypal student activist" archetypal, prototypal, prototypic, prototypical first - preceding all others in time or space or degree; "the first house on the right"; "the first day of spring"; "his first political race"; "her first baby"; "the first time"; "the first meetings of the new party"; "the first phase of his training"

Translations

archetypical [ˌɑː^rkɪˈtɪpɪk^əl] adj → archétype