Agency Dictionary
construct
nounPronunciation: /ˈkɒn.strʌkt/
In Portuguese: constructo
Philosophy & EthicsWhat does “construct” mean?
A complex idea, mental framework, or artificial system deliberately built from simpler elements.
How the edition uses it
What a feed on Instagram, LinkedIn or TikTok is, for the edition: you are not living reality, you are browsing a construct.
Etymology
The noun comes from the verb to construct, from Latin constructus, past participle of construere, "to pile up, to build", formed from com- ("together") and struere ("to pile, to arrange"). The verb is established in English from the 17th century. The noun, stressed on the first syllable, is later: it belongs to the vocabulary of linguistics and psychology from the later 19th century, where it names something built by the mind and not found ready in nature.
Usage note
The noun is stressed on the first syllable (CON-struct) and the verb on the second (con-STRUCT). The noun is mostly academic.
Synonyms
- concept
- framework
- model
- abstraction
- notion
- formulation
Word family
- construction
- constructive
- constructor
- constructivism
- reconstruct
- construe
Usage examples
You are browsing a construct.
Issue.9 - Metareality
Concepts
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- Social Media CurationSocial media curation is the deliberate selection, editing, and filtering of personal moments to present an idealized online persona. It constructs an artificial…
Source editions
Where this entry comes from in the Agency editorial.
Words of the same theme
- Characternoun
- A metal block engraved with a letter used in letterpress printing, as well as the intrinsic moral quality and strength of a person.
- Antithesisnoun
- A person, thing, or concept that represents the direct or exact opposite of another.
- Hermeneuticsnoun
- The branch of knowledge that deals with interpretation, especially of literary texts and philosophical works. It examines how meaning is mediated through linguistic context.
- Agapenoun
- A selfless, unconditional, and altruistic form of love often associated in theology with divine charity.
- Erosnoun
- A passionate, romantic, and often erotic love characterized by intense longing, attraction, and creative vitality.
- Philianoun
- A deep, reciprocal, and virtuous affection among friends or equals based on shared values and mutual loyalty.
- autonomynoun
- The condition or power of self-governance, independent decision-making, and freedom from external control.
- Discursiveadjective
- Proceeding by reasoned argument or sequential exposition rather than by immediate visual intuition.
- Empiricistnoun
- A person who supports the theory that all knowledge is derived from sense-experience. In practice, an empiricist insists on tangible observation and verifiable testing before accepting a claim.
- Ludusnoun
- A playful, flirtatious, and lighthearted form of love free from long-term obligations or solemnity.
- Pragmanoun
- A practical, enduring, and mature love built on long-term commitment, shared duties, and realistic expectations.
- Storgenoun
- Natural familial affection, especially the instinctive bond shared among parents, children, and siblings.
Also from these editions: terms
- Naivetynoun
- Lack of worldly experience, cynicism, or judgment; natural innocence, simplicity, and uncorrupted openness of mind.
- Consumernoun
- An individual or group that acquires, purchases, or consumes physical or commercial goods and services for personal use. In marketing, consumers are studied for purchasing patterns and brand preferences.
- creativenoun
- A person whose profession is to create, such as a designer, a copywriter or a writer. As a noun it is used mostly in the plural, creatives, for the creative professionals of a team or an agency.
- Braverynoun
- The moral quality or mental disposition that enables a person to encounter danger, difficulty, or acute pain with resolute courage, composure, and firmness of purpose.
- villainnoun
- In a story, the character who opposes the hero and the community the hero serves.
- organicadjective
- Relating to or derived from living organisms, biological matter, or systematically integrated natural systems.
- Screennoun
- A flat physical display surface on an electronic device that projects visual images, interfaces, and text to a viewer. It serves as the primary visual output medium for modern personal computers and mobile phones.
- intangibleadjective
- Incapable of being perceived by touch or physical senses, yet possessing recognizable economic or conceptual worth.
- syntheticadjective
- Produced by artificial or chemical synthesis rather than originating from natural or organic processes.
- binaryadjective
- Relating to or composed of two things, specifically a computational numbering system using base two digits.
- comfort zonenoun
- The set of situations and habits in which a person feels safe and in control, without risk or anxiety. Leaving it is commonly described as a condition for learning and growth.
- dystopianoun
- An imagined state or society characterized by pervasive human suffering, totalitarian rule, or ecological ruin.
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