archetype

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.

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archetype [ark-ee-type]

Noun

1. a perfect or typical specimen

2. an original model; prototype [Greek arkhetupos first-moulded]

archetypal adj

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

archetype - something that serves as a model or a basis for making copies; "this painting is a copy of the original" original, pilot example, model - a representative form or pattern; "I profited from his example"

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archetype

noun prime example, standard, model, original, pattern, classic, ideal, norm, form, prototype, paradigm, exemplar

Translations

archetype [ˈɑːkɪtaɪp] n → arquetipo

archetype [ˈɑːkɪtaɪp] n → prototype m, archétype m

archetype [ˈɑːkɪtaɪp] n → Urbild nt, Urtyp m

archetype [ˈɑːkɪtaɪp] n → archetipo