decontextualize

[ dee-kuhn-teks-choo-uh-lahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, de·con·tex·tu·al·ized, de·con·tex·tu·al·iz·ing.

1. to remove (a linguistic element, an action, etc.) from a context:

   decontextualized works of art displayed in museums.

Other Words From

• decon·textu·al·i·zation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of decontextualize¹

First recorded in 1975–80; de- + contextualize