deconstructionism
UK[ˌdiːkənˈstrʌkʃənɪzəm]US[ˌdiːkənˈstrʌkʃənɪzəm]
n
A method of critical analysis of philosophical and literary language which emphasizes the internal workings of language and conceptual systems, the relational quality of meaning, and the assumptions implicit in forms of expression.
Morpheme Breakdown
de
construction
ism
de
down, away, off, reversal, removal.
construction
ism
Etymology
The term is a modern philosophical compound, built upon the core word "construction," which derives from the Latin constructionem, meaning "a putting or building together," itself from construere ("to heap up, build"). The Latin prefix de- is added to signify a reversal or undoing of this process, creating "deconstruction," a concept developed by philosopher Jacques Derrida. Finally, the Greek-derived suffix -ism is appended to form an abstract noun denoting the associated critical theory or movement. Thus, the word's literal logic moves from "building" to "un-building" to the "school of thought focused on un-building."
Analysis
Structure: de + construction + ism
de: (Latin origin) A prefix meaning "down, away, off, reversal, removal."
construction: (Latin origin) The act or process of building something; a thing that has been built or the way it is formed.
ism: (Greek origin via Latin) A suffix forming nouns denoting a distinctive system, theory, or practice.
Examples
His literary analysis was heavily influenced by deconstructionism.
Deconstructionism challenges the idea that texts have a single, fixed meaning.
The professor's lecture traced the development of deconstructionism in late 20th-century thought.