deconstruct

English

Etymology

From de- +‎ construct.

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /diːkənˈstɹʌkt/, /diːkənˈstɹʊkt/

Verb

deconstruct (third-person singular simple present deconstructs, present participle deconstructing, simple past and past participle deconstructed)

  1. (transitive, often figurative) To break something down into its component parts.
  2. (transitive) To analyse in terms of deconstruction (a philosophical theory of textual criticism).
  3. (transitive) To analyse in general.
  4. (transitive) To critique.
  5. (transitive, especially US sports) To destroy.
    • 2014 June 16, Ian Levy, The Spurs’ Deconstruction of the Heat Is Now Complete[1]:

Usage notes

Narrowly used as a specific kind of literary analysis and criticism; broadly used as a fancy term to mean analysis, criticism, destruction, etc.

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