The term "archetype" refers to a typical example or model of something, representing the fundamental characteristics and qualities of a particular category. In literature, psychology, and various theories, it is often used to describe recurring symbols, themes, or characters that embody universal patterns and traits, serving as a template from which other ideas or entities are derived.
The word "archetype" comes from the Greek word "archētypos," which is composed of "archē," meaning "beginning" or "origin," and "typos," meaning "model" or "type." This indicates that an archetype is a model that originates from an original concept.