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anthropomorphism

[an-thruh-puh-mawr-fiz-uh m]
noun
  1. an anthropomorphic conception or representation, as of a deity.
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Origin of anthropomorphism

First recorded in 1745–55; anthropo- + -morphism
Related formsan·thro·po·mor·phist, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for anthropomorphism

Historical Examples

  • To the Intermediatist, the accusation of "anthropomorphism" is meaningless.

    The Book of the Damned

    Charles Fort

  • And apparently the Bible countenanced their anthropomorphism.

  • In anthropomorphism there are many errors, but there is one truth.

    Theism or Atheism

    Chapman Cohen

  • Its anthropomorphism is only, to unobservant minds, less apparent.

    Theism or Atheism

    Chapman Cohen

  • If thy predicates are anthropomorphisms, the subject of them is an anthropomorphism too.

British Dictionary definitions for anthropomorphism

anthropomorphism

noun
  1. the attribution of human form or behaviour to a deity, animal, etc
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Derived Formsanthropomorphist, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for anthropomorphism

n.

1753, "attributing of human qualities to a deity;" see anthropomorphic + -ism. Of other non-human things, from 1858. Related: Anthropomorphist (1610s).

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
anthropomorphism in Medicine

anthropomorphism

(ăn′thrə-pə-môr′fĭz′əm)
n.
  1. The attribution of human motivation, characteristics, or behavior to nonhuman organisms or inanimate objects.
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Related formsan′thro•po•mor′phic adj.an′thro•po•mor′phi•cal•ly adv.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
anthropomorphism in Culture

anthropomorphism

[(an-thruh-puh-mawr-fiz-uhm)]

The attributing of human characteristics and purposes to inanimate objects, animals, plants, or other natural phenomena, or to God. To describe a rushing river as “angry” is to anthropomorphize it.

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The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.