deconstructive
|de-con-struc-tive|
/ˌdiː.kənˈstrʌk.tɪv/
breaking down built structures/meanings
Etymology
'deconstructive' originates from English, specifically formed from the verb 'deconstruct' combined with the adjectival suffix '-ive', where the prefix 'de-' (from Latin) meant 'reverse' or 'remove' and 'construct' (from Latin 'construere') meant 'to build'.
'deconstructive' developed from the verb 'deconstruct' (a 20th-century formation from 'de-' + 'construct'); the adjective was later formed by adding the suffix '-ive' to create 'deconstructive'.
Initially the root 'deconstruct' meant 'to reverse or analyze the construction (of texts or ideas)'; over time the adjective 'deconstructive' came to mean 'serving to deconstruct' or 'characterized by deconstruction'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
relating to or characteristic of deconstruction, the critical/theoretical method that analyses and breaks down underlying assumptions and structures (often in texts, ideas, or cultural practices).
Her deconstructive reading of the novel exposed contradictions beneath the surface narrative.
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Adjective 2
intended to dismantle or break down an established structure, idea, or argument—emphasizing removal or reversal of built assumptions.
The architect proposed a deconstructive approach to the urban plan, deliberately challenging conventional forms.
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Last updated: 2025/11/06 08:51