structuralism

[ struhk-cher-uh-liz-uhm ]

noun
  1. any theory that embodies structural principles.

Origin of structuralism

1
First recorded in 1945–50; structural + -ism

Other words from structuralism

  • struc·tur·al·ist, noun, adjective
  • struc·tur·al·is·tic, adjective
  • an·ti·struc·tur·al·ist, noun, adjective

Words Nearby structuralism

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How to use structuralism in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for structuralism

structuralism

/ (ˈstrʌktʃərəˌlɪzəm) /


noun
  1. an approach to anthropology and other social sciences and to literature that interprets and analyses its material in terms of oppositions, contrasts, and hierarchical structures, esp as they might reflect universal mental characteristics or organizing principles: Compare functionalism

  2. an approach to linguistics that analyses and describes the structure of language, as distinguished from its comparative and historical aspects

Derived forms of structuralism

  • structuralist, noun, adjective

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