demythologizing
|de-my-tho-lo-gi-zing|
🇺🇸
/diːˌmɪθəˈlɑːdʒaɪz/
🇬🇧
/diːˌmɪθəˈlɒdʒaɪz/
(demythologize)
remove mythic elements
Etymology
'demythologize' originates from Modern English (influenced by theological German usage), specifically built from the prefix 'de-' (from Latin 'de' meaning 'remove' or 'reverse') + 'mythology' (from Greek 'mythos' meaning 'story, tale') + the verb-forming suffix '-ize' (from Greek-derived '-izein' meaning 'make' or 'do').
'demythologize' was shaped in the 20th century in theological and critical discourse (notably associated with Rudolf Bultmann's German term 'Entmythologisierung' and related forms like German 'demythologisieren'), and the term entered English as 'demythologize' and related nouns such as 'demythologization'.
Initially, it specifically meant 'to strip biblical or religious narratives of mythic (supernatural) elements to render them accessible to modern, critical understanding'; over time it has broadened to mean generally 'to remove mythic or mysterious elements' or 'to demystify' in literary, cultural, and critical contexts.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the act or process of demythologizing; a critical reinterpretation that strips myths of supernatural or literal claims.
Demythologizing of certain passages has been controversial among theologians.
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Verb 1
present participle of 'demythologize': removing or reinterpreting mythic elements (especially in religious or literary texts) in non-mythical, critical, or secular terms.
The scholar argued that demythologizing the text helps modern readers focus on its ethical message.
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Last updated: 2025/11/06 09:13