Archetype

n. [ L. archetypum, Gr. 'arche`typon, fr. 'arche`typos stamped first and as model; 'arche = 'archi + ty`pos stamp, figure, pattern, ty`ptein to strike: cf. F. archétype. See Arch-, pref. ] 1. The original pattern or model of a work; or the model from which a thing is made or formed. [ 1913 Webster ]

The House of Commons, the archetype of all the representative assemblies which now meet. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

Types and shadows of that glorious archetype that was to come into the world. South. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Coinage) The standard weight or coin by which others are adjusted. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Biol.) The plan or fundamental structure on which a natural group of animals or plants or their systems of organs are assumed to have been constructed; as, the vertebrate archetype. [ 1913 Webster ]