demythologize
UK[ˌdiːmɪˈθɒlədʒaɪz]US[ˌdiːmɪˈθɑːlədʒaɪz]
v
to remove the mythical or legendary elements from (a subject, text, or belief) in order to reveal its underlying meaning.
v
to reinterpret (a religious or traditional narrative) in non-mythological, often rational or existential, terms.
Morpheme Breakdown
de
myth
ologize
de
remove
myth
myth
ologize
to treat or study
Etymology
the word demythologize is a modern scholarly formation, constructed in the 20th century within the field of religious studies and biblical criticism. it is built upon the classical greek noun 'mythos', meaning a story or tale, which entered english via latin 'mythus'. the prefix 'de-', of latin origin, signals a process of removal or reversal. the suffix '-ologize' combines '-logy' (from greek 'logia', denoting discourse or study) with '-ize', a verb-forming suffix indicating "to make or practice". thus, the term literally means "to remove the myth", describing the intellectual effort to strip away mythological frameworks from religious texts to uncover their purported existential or historical core, a concept notably advanced by theologian rudolf bultmann.
Analysis
Structure: de (remove) + myth (myth) + ologize (to treat or study)
de: latin origin, a prefix meaning "down from, off, away, reversal, removal".
myth: greek origin (mythos), a root meaning "story, speech, myth".
ologize: greek origin via latin and french, a compound suffix from '-log-' (discourse, study) + '-ize' (verb-forming suffix meaning "to make, to do").
Examples
the scholar sought to demythologize the ancient texts, arguing their true value lay in their philosophical insights rather than their supernatural narratives.
some modern approaches to classic literature attempt to demythologize heroic figures, presenting them as flawed and complex individuals.
the process to demythologize traditional beliefs can be controversial, as it challenges long-held cultural and religious understandings.