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Noun: deconstruction  ,dee-kun'strúk-shun
  1. (literature) a philosophical theory of criticism (usually of literature or film) that seeks to expose deep-seated contradictions in a work by delving below its surface meaning
    "deconstruction challenges traditional interpretations of texts";
    - deconstructionism
     
  2. The process of breaking something down into its constituent parts for critical examination
    "The chef's deconstruction of the classic dish presented familiar flavours in an entirely new way"

Derived forms: deconstructions

Type of: philosophical doctrine, philosophical theory

Encyclopedia: Deconstruction