zoomorphic

American  

[zoh-uh-mawr-fik] / ˌzoʊ əˈmɔr fɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to a deity or other being conceived of as having the form of an animal.

2. characterized by a highly stylized or conventionalized representation of animal forms.

3. representing or using animal forms.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• zoomorph
  noun

Etymology

Origin of zoomorphic

First recorded in 1870–75; zoo- + -morphic

Explanation

Anything that's zoomorphic has the form of an animal. If your cookie jar is shaped like a bear, with a removable head as its lid, you can describe it as zoomorphic. Zoomorphic is derived from Greek roots, zoion, "an animal," and morphē, "form." Things that take the form of animals can include art, everyday objects, people, and even gods in some religions. Think of the zoomorphic Hindu god Ganesh, with his elephant's head and human body. Or your grandparents' zoomorphic front door knocker, shaped like a lobster. And you might decide on a zoomorphic costume for Halloween — a cat or a rabbit — instead of dressing like a superhero.

Example Sentences

Zoomorphic in their movement, the players shifted throughout the space less like musicians and more like characters.

From New York Times • Apr. 15, 2022

Zoomorphic, zō-ō-mor′fik, adj. pertaining to zoomorphism: representing animals in art.—n.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements) by Various