Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense deconstructs, present participle deconstructing, past tense, past participle deconstructed
verb
In philosophy and literary criticism, to deconstruct an idea or text means to show the contradictions in its meaning, and to show how it does not fully explain what it claims to explain.
[technical]
She sets up a rigorous intellectual framework to deconstruct various categories offilm. [VERB noun]
deconstruction (diːkənstrʌkʃən)uncountable noun
...the deconstruction of the macho psyche. [+ of]
deconstruct in British English
(ˌdiːkənˈstrʌkt)
verb(transitive)
1.
to apply the theories of deconstruction to (a text, film, etc)
2.
to expose or dismantle the existing structure in (a system, organization, etc)
deconstruct in American English
(ˌdikənˈstrʌkt)
verb transitive
1.
to analyze (a text) by using deconstruction
2.
to subject to rigorous analysis, as to reveal weakness or error
3.
to take apart; disassemble
Word origin
back-form. < deconstruction
Examples of 'deconstruct' in a sentence
deconstruct
You have to work them out, spot the clues --- like a crime novel --- or deconstruct them like a piece of prac.
Isabel Wolff RESCUING ROSE (2002)
Deconstruct him: he isn't worth it; deconstruct yourself: your behaviour is ridiculous.
Vanessa Jones THE KINDEST USE A KNIFE (2002)
"His back was to her, and Tess needed a minute to deconstruct what he had said.