postmodernism
UK[ˌpəʊstˈmɒdənɪzəm]US[ˌpoʊstˈmɑːdərnɪzəm]
n
a style and movement in the arts, architecture, and criticism that represents a departure from modernism and is characterized by a distrust of grand theories and ideologies, and by the use of stylistic eclecticism, parody, and irony.
n
a philosophical stance or condition of the late 20th century characterized by skepticism, subjectivism, or relativism and a general suspicion of reason and the idea of objective truth.
Morpheme Breakdown
post
modern
ism
post
after
modern
recent
ism
doctrine
Etymology
the term postmodernism is constructed from three classical elements to describe a reaction against established norms. the prefix 'post', from latin, straightforwardly positions the concept as coming "after" the period of modernism. the core 'modern' derives from latin 'modernus', meaning "of the present time," which itself originated from 'modo' (just now). the suffix 'ism', via greek and latin, systematically denotes a distinct school of thought or movement. thus, the word's literal construction as "the doctrine (ism) that comes after (post) the modern" directly encapsulates its historical and critical stance as a deliberate succession to and critique of modernist principles in art, thought, and culture.
Analysis
Structure: post (after) + modern (recent) + ism (doctrine)
post: from latin 'post', meaning "after, behind". a prefix indicating subsequence in time or order.
modern: from latin 'modernus', from 'modo' meaning "just now". the base word denoting what is current or recent.
ism: from greek '-ismos', a suffix forming nouns of action, state, or doctrine. indicates a distinctive practice, system, or philosophy.
Examples
the building's eclectic design is often cited as a prime example of architectural postmodernism.
her literary criticism is heavily influenced by the theories of postmodernism.
postmodernism challenges the notion of a single, objective historical narrative.