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demythologize

[ dee-mi-thol-uh-jahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, de·my·thol·o·gized, de·my·thol·o·giz·ing.
  1. to divest of mythological or legendary attributes or forms, as in order to permit clearer appraisal and understanding:

    to demythologize the music dramas of Richard Wagner for modern listeners.

  2. to make less mysterious or mythical so as to give a more human character to:

    to demythologize the presidency.



verb (used without object)

, de·my·thol·o·gized, de·my·thol·o·giz·ing.
  1. to separate mythological, legendary, or apocryphal elements from a writing, work of art, historical figure, etc.

demythologize

/ ˌdiːmɪˈθɒləˌdʒaɪz /

verb

  1. to eliminate all mythical elements from (a piece of writing, esp the Bible) so as to arrive at an essential meaning
  2. to restate (a message, esp a religious one) in rational terms
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Derived Forms

  • ˌdemyˌthologiˈzation, noun
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Other Words From

  • demy·tholo·gi·zation noun
  • demy·tholo·gizer noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of demythologize1

First recorded in 1945–50; de- + mythologize
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Example Sentences

All I had wanted to do was write a novel that demythologized the West.

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demystifyden