prototypical

American  

[proh-tuh-tip-i-kuhl] / ˌproʊ təˈtɪp ɪ kəl /

Sometimes prototypal also prototypic

adjective

1. being the original or model on which something is based or formed.

   Even Los Angeles, the prototypical American automobile city, is rapidly expanding its public transit infrastructure.

2. illustrating the typical qualities of a class or group.

   Scotty played center field as a quick, prototypical lead-off hitter.

   The International Harvester Farmall letter series, well-built and affordable, became an iconic symbol of the prototypical American small-farm tractor.

3. Biology. being a primitive form regarded as the basis of a group; archetypal.

   She graduated with a degree in biology, having conducted her senior thesis research on virulence factors of vaccinia, the prototypical poxvirus.

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Other Word Forms

• prototypically adverb

Etymology

Origin of prototypical

prototyp(e) ( def. ) + -ical ( def. )

Example Sentences

“Ms. Javice’s case is not the prototypical type of fraud case,” her defense attorney argued.

From The Wall Street Journal

Hopkins, more of a prototypical pocket passer, seemed to have a strong connection with star tight end Mark Bowman — a passing display between the duo that was featured early in Mater Dei’s contests.

From Los Angeles Times

The images from Levi’s social media hint at a prototypical Southern California upbringing.

From Los Angeles Times

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: LB Jihaad Campbell, Alabama — Campbell, the prototypical middle linebacker, can learn a lot from a Lavonte David in the late afternoon of his career.

From Los Angeles Times

The prototypical size at 6 feet 4, the prototypical arm strength, the silky throwing motion that looks as if it were designed in a lab.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• archetypal
• quintessential