poststructural
UK[ˌpəʊstˈstrʌktʃərəl]US[ˌpoʊstˈstrʌktʃərəl]
adj
Relating to or denoting the critical questioning and development of structuralist theories, especially in literary and cultural analysis.
Morpheme Breakdown
post
structural
post
after
structural
relating to structure
Etymology
The term is a modern academic compound, formed in the mid-20th century within critical theory. It directly combines the Latin prefix 'post-', signifying a chronological or conceptual position 'after', with the adjective 'structural', derived from the Latin struere (to pile up, arrange). The word 'structural' itself entered English via French, relating to the arrangement and interrelation of parts in a system. Thus, 'poststructural' literally means "after or in reaction to structuralism," encapsulating a movement that critiques, extends, and deconstructs the foundational assumptions of structuralist thought, particularly the stability of linguistic and social structures.
Analysis
Structure: post (after) + structural (relating to structure)
post: Latin origin, meaning "after, behind". A prefix indicating subsequence or reaction.
structural: From Latin structura (a building, arrangement) via French. An adjective-forming suffix indicating relation to structure.
Examples
Poststructural theory challenges the idea of fixed meanings in texts.
Her analysis employs a poststructural framework to deconstruct power dynamics.
The debate between structural and poststructural approaches continues in humanities departments.