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archetype

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In psychology, an archetype is the innate knowledge, images, or ways of thinking that are inherited from ancestors.

(noun)

An event that might be an archetype is birth.

The definition of an archetype is the first of its kind and the basis for all to follow it.

(noun)

An example of an archetype is Frankenstein whose character influenced many future characters of horror books and movies.

See archetype in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

the original pattern, or model, from which all other things of the same kind are made; prototype
a perfect example of a type or group
in Jungian psychology, any of several innate ideas or patterns in the psyche, expressed in dreams, art, etc. as certain basic symbols or images

Origin: L archetypus < Gr archetypon < archos (see arch-) + typos (see type)

Related Forms:

archetypal adjective or archetypical
archetypally adverb or archetypically

See archetype in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

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).
An ideal example of a type; quintessence: an archetype of the successful entrepreneur.
In Jungian psychology, an inherited pattern of thought or symbolic imagery derived from the past collective experience and present in the individual unconscious.

Origin:

Origin: Latin archetypum

Origin: , from Greek arkhetupon

Origin: , from

Origin: neuter of arkhetupos, original

Origin: : arkhe-, arkhi-, archi-

Origin: + tupos, model, stamp

Related Forms:

arˌche·typˈal (-tīˈpəl), arˌche·typˈic (-tĭpˈĭk), arˌche·typˈi·cal adjective

arˌche·typˈi·cal·ly adverb

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 (ärˈkĭ-tīpˌ), with a (k) sound, while 6 percent preferred the pronunciation (ärˈchĭ-tīpˌ), 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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