archetype

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: ar=che=type

CIDE DICTIONARY

archetype, n. [L. archetypum, Gr. 'arche`typon, fr. 'arche`typos stamped first and as model; 'arche = 'archi + ty`pos stamp, figure, pattern, ty`ptein to strike: cf. F. archétype. See Arch-, pref.].

•  The original pattern or model of a work; or the model from which a thing is made or formed.  [1913 Webster]

  "The House of Commons, the archetype of all the representative assemblies which now meet."  [1913 Webster]

  "Types and shadows of that glorious archetype that was to come into the world."  [1913 Webster]
•  The standard weight or coin by which others are adjusted.  [1913 Webster]
•  The plan or fundamental structure on which a natural group of animals or plants or their systems of organs are assumed to have been constructed; as, the vertebrate archetype.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

archetype, n.
1 a an original model; a prototype. b a typical specimen.
2 (in Jungian psychology) a primitive mental image inherited from man's earliest ancestors, and supposed to be present in the collective unconscious.
3 a recurrent symbol or motif in literature, art, etc.

Derivative

archetypal adj. archetypical adj.

Etymology

L archetypum f. Gk arkhetupon (as ARCH-, tupos stamp)

THESAURUS

archetype

Geistesgeschichte, Hegelian idea, Kantian idea, Platonic form, Platonic idea, aesthetic form, antetype, antitype, archetypal pattern, art form, beau ideal, biotype, blind impulse, build, cast, classic, classic example, collective unconscious, complex idea, configuration, conformation, criterion, cut, engram, epitome, eternal object, eternal universal, example, exemplar, fashion, father image, figuration, figure, form, formal cause, format, formation, frame, fugleman, fugler, genotype, genre, highest category, history of ideas, id, ideal, idealism, ideate, ideatum, idee-force, image, imago, imitatee, impression, impulse, inborn proclivity, innate idea, inner form, innovation, instinct, layout, lead, libido, make, makeup, masterpiece, masterwork, matrix, memory, memory trace, mirror, modality, mode, model, mold, natural instinct, natural tendency, new departure, noosphere, noumenon, original, paradigm, paragon, pattern, pattern of perfection, percept, pilot model, precedent, primitive self, prototype, quintessence, regulative first principle, representative, rule, set, shape, significant form, simple idea, stamp, standard, structure, style, subconscious urge, subsistent form, the Absolute, the Absolute Idea, the Self-determined, the realized ideal, transcendent idea, transcendent nonempirical concept, transcendent universal, traumatic trace, turn, type, type species, type specimen, unconscious memory, universal, universal concept, universal essence, unlearned capacity, unreasoning impulse, urtext, very model, vital impulse

ROGET THESAURUS

archetype

Prototype

N prototype, original, model, pattern, precedent, standard, ideal, reference, scantling, type, archetype, antitype, protoplast, module, exemplar, example, ensample, paradigm, lay-figure, text, copy, design, fugleman, keynote, die, mold, matrix, last, plasm, proplasm, protoplasm, mint, seal, punch, intaglio, negative, stamp, a precedent embalms a principle, exempla sunt odiosa.

Idea

N idea, notion, conception, thought, apprehension, impression, perception, image, eidolon, sentiment, reflection, observation, consideration, abstract idea, archetype, formative notion, guiding conception, organizing conception, image in the mind, regulative principle, view, theory, conceit, fancy, phantasy, point of view, field of view.