deconstruction
noun
de·con·struc·tion
| \ ˌdē-kən-ˈstrək-shən
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Definition of deconstruction
1
: a philosophical or critical method which asserts that meanings, metaphysical constructs, and hierarchical oppositions (as between key terms in a philosophical or literary work) are always rendered unstable by their dependence on ultimately arbitrary signifiers
also
: an instance of the use of this method
a deconstruction of the nature–culture opposition in Rousseau's work
2
: the analytic examination of something (such as a theory) often in order to reveal its inadequacy