zoomorphic
[ zoh-uh-mawr-fik ]
/ ˌzoʊ əˈmɔr fɪk /
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adjective
of or relating to a deity or other being conceived of as having the form of an animal.
characterized by a highly stylized or conventionalized representation of animal forms.
representing or using animal forms.
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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 the Greek …
Nearby words
zoom out, zoom shot, zoomastigophorea, zoometric, zoometry, zoomorphic, zoomorphism, zoon, zoonal, zoonosis, zoonotic
Related formszo·o·morph, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for zoomorphic
In the mind of the savage the world is peopled by a host of mythic beings, anthropomorphic and zoomorphic.
Canyons of the Colorado|J. W. PowellThey cook by means of heated stones and have zoomorphic masks.
Man, Past and Present|Agustus Henry Keane
Word Origin and History for zoomorphic
zoomorphic
1872, from comb. form of Greek zoion "animal" (see zoo) + morphe "shape" (see Morpheus) + -ic.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper