theriomorphic

American  

[theer-ee-uh-mawr-fik] / ˌθɪər i əˈmɔr fɪk /

Or theriomorphous

adjective

1. (of deities) thought of or represented as having the form of beasts.

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theriomorphic British  

/ ˌθɪərɪəʊˈmɔːfɪk /

adjective

1. (esp of a deity) possessing or depicted in the form of a beast

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Other Word Forms

• theriomorph noun

Etymology

Origin of theriomorphic

1880–85; < Greek thēriómorph ( os ) beast-shaped ( thērío ( n ) wild beast + -morphos -morphous ) + -ic

Example Sentences

In the myths of the other races on the North-west Pacific Coast nothing is more remarkable than the theriomorphic character of the heroes, who are also to a certain extent gods and makers of things.

From Myth, Ritual And Religion, Vol. 2 (of 2) by Lang, Andrew

It is not to be expected that many, if any, remains of a theriomorphic character should cling to a goddess so abstract as Aditi.

From Myth, Ritual And Religion, Vol. 2 (of 2) by Lang, Andrew

The process by which an anthropomorphic god or hero succeeds to the exploits of animals, of theriomorphic gods and heroes, is the most common in mythology, and is illustrated by actual practice in modern India.

From Custom and Myth New Edition by Lang, Andrew

The anthropomorphic monotheism, which the southern tribes brought up from Arabia, had to contend in Galilee with theriomorphic polytheism, that is, the tendency to embody the qualities of divinity in animal forms.

From The Ancient East by Hogarth, D. G. (David George)

The god, anthropomorphic or theriomorphic, was worshipped in well-defined rites; the organization was highly developed; and the ritual is analogous to many other ancient rituals.

From The Witch-cult in Western Europe A Study in Anthropology by Murray, Margaret Alice