Where does “deconstruction” come from?

Deconstruction comes from English construction preceded by the Latin prefix de, from Latin construo meaning to build, with the prefix con- meaning together.

deconstruction (English): A philosophical theory of textual criticism; a...

Definitions

  1. A philosophical theory of textual criticism; a...

Ancestry of “deconstruction”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishdeconstructTo break something down into its component parts;...
2EnglishconstructSomething constructed from parts; A concept or...
3Latinconstructuscollected together; constructed, fabricated,...
4Latincōnstruōto heap, bring, collect or gather together
5Latincōn-Used in compounds to indicate a being or bringing together of several objects
6Latincumwith, along with; at; -fold
7Old LatincomAlternative form of cum
8Proto-Italickomwith, along, at
9Proto-Indo-Europeanḱómbeside, near, by, with
10Proto-Indo-EuropeanḱeDeictic particle, here; Post-positional...
11Middle Englishkyt
12Germankittputty certain kinds of cement used for fixing e.g. window panes
13Old High Germankuti
14Proto-West Germanickwidugum, resin
15Proto-Germanickweduzresin
16Proto-Indo-Europeangʷet-resin, gum; to say, speak
17Proto-Indo-Europeangū-to bend; curve; arch; vault; to bow, bend, arch,...

Words derived from “deconstruction

Every word from Proto-Indo-European gū-