Archetype Meaning
/ˈɑːkɪtaɪp/Definition, CEFR level C2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounAn original model of which all other similar concepts, objects, or persons are merely copied, derivative, emulated, or patterned.
nounAn ideal example of something; a quintessence.
Sentence Examples
Mr. Jackson fits the archetype of a wizard.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The hero is an ____ that appears in stories worldwide.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The wise old man is a common ____ found in many classic fairy tales.
Word Origin & History
From Old French architipe (modern French archétype), from Latin archetypum (“original”), from Ancient Greek ἀρχέτυπον (arkhétupon, “model, pattern”), the neuter form of ἀρχέτυπος (arkhétupos, “first-moulded”), from ἀρχή (arkhḗ, “beginning, origin”) (from ἄρχω (árkhō, “to begin; to lead, rule”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₂ergʰ- (“to begin; to command, rule”)) + τῠ́πος (tŭ́pos, “blow, pressing; sort, type”) (from τύπτω (túptō, “to beat, strike”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)tewp- (“to push; to stick”)).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"According to that Cabaliſticall Dogma: If Abram had not had this Letter [i.e., ה (he)] added unto his Name he had remained fruitleſſe, and without the power of generation: […] So that being ſterill before, he received the power of generation from that meaſure and manſion in the Archetype; and was made conformable unto Binah."
— 1658, Thomas Browne, “The Garden of Cyrus. […]. Chapter V.”, in Hydriotaphia, Urne-buriall, […] Together with The Garden of Cyrus, […], London: […] Hen[ry] Brome […], →OCLC, page 192:
"Sir Edward Newenden, a married man, the guardian of Ethelinde at the deceaſe of her father, and who is enamoured of his ward, is evidently a copy, in the outline, or Mr. Monckton in the novel of Cecilia. His manners, however, are of a much more engaging nature than thoſe of his archetype."
— 1790 June, “Art. VIII. Ethelinde, or, The Recluse of the Lake. By Charlotte Smith. 12mo. 5 Vols. 15s. sewed. Cadell. 1789. [book review]”, in The Monthly Review; or, Literary Journal, Enlarged, volume II, London: Printed for R[alph] Griffiths; and sold by T[homas] Becket, […], →OCLC, page 164:
"Outlines of the chief developments of the dermoskeleton, in different vertebrates, which are usually more or less ossified, are added to the endoskeletal archetype: as, e.g. the median horn supported by the nasal spine […] in the rhinoceros; […]"
— 1848, Richard Owen, “Description of Plates”, in The Archetype and Homologies of the Vertebrate Skeleton, London: Printed for the author, by Richard and John E. Taylor, […], →OCLC, page 177:
"Now these plans, models, original patterns, existing in God's mind before He made a single plant or a single animal, are what we mean by Archetypes. An archetype, therefore, is not a real, actual, objective thing, existing independent of the copy, or of God. It is only a plan, a model, an original pattern in God's mind—an idea, or thought of God."
— 1861 April, “Article I.—Archetypes.”, in E[zekiel] G[ilman] Robinson, editor, The Christian Review, volume XXVII, number CIV, Rochester, N.Y.: Benton & Andrews, publishers, →OCLC, pages 177–178:
"The Bishop [of Gloucester, William Warburton] asserts there is no Archetype, because eloquence is a variable thing, depending on custom and fashion; […] there is no Archetype in nature of perfect eloquence; its very constituent parts, as they are deemed, having no substance or reality in them."
— 1811, Richard Hurd, “A Letter to the Rev. Dr. Thomas Leland, […]”, in The Works of Richard Hurd, D.D. Lord Bishop of Worcester. In Eight Volumes, volume VIII, London: Printed for T[homas] Cadell and W. Davies, […], →OCLC, page 340:
Explore More C2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The hero is an ____ that appears in stories worldwide.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The wise old man is a common ____ found in many classic fairy tales.