definitions

anthropomorphism

[ an-thruh-puh-mawr-fiz-uh m ]
/ ˌæn θrə pəˈmɔr fɪz əm /
|

noun

an anthropomorphic conception or representation, as of a deity.

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They Call It Puppy Love And Other Animal-inspired PhrasesWe often attribute emotions and other human characteristics to animals. This is called anthropomorphism . Similarly, we also describe people using animal characteristics. You might, for example, say my teenage son “eats like a horse,” meaning he’s a growing boy and consumes a lot of food. This is called zoomorphism . Zoomorphism also includes assigning animal-like qualities to gods and inanimate objects. The term comes from …
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Nearby words

anthropology, anthropometer, anthropometrics, anthropometry, anthropomorphic, anthropomorphism, anthropomorphize, anthropomorphosis, anthropomorphous, anthroponomy, anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis

Origin of anthropomorphism

First recorded in 1745–55; anthropo- + -morphism

Related forms

an·thro·po·mor·phist, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for anthropomorphism

British Dictionary definitions for anthropomorphism

anthropomorphism

/ (ˌænθrəpəˈmɔːfɪzəm) /

noun

the attribution of human form or behaviour to a deity, animal, etc

Derived Forms

anthropomorphist, 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

Medicine definitions for anthropomorphism

anthropomorphism

[ ăn′thrə-pə-môr′fĭz′əm ]

n.

The attribution of human motivation, characteristics, or behavior to nonhuman organisms or inanimate objects.

Related forms

an′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.

Culture definitions for anthropomorphism

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.

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.