anthropomorphism
|an-thro-po-mor-phism|
🇺🇸
/ˌænθrəpəˈmɔːrfɪzəm/
🇬🇧
/ˌænθrəpəˈmɔːfɪzəm/
giving human form/traits to non-humans
Etymology
'anthropomorphism' originates from Greek, specifically the elements 'ánthrōpos' meaning 'human' and 'morphē' meaning 'form', combined with the suffix '-ism' used to form nouns.
'anthropomorphism' was formed in modern scholarly and literary usage from the Greek compound via French (anthropomorphisme) and Neo-Latin influences, becoming established in English in the 18th–19th centuries.
Initially, the term was often used mainly for attributing human form to deities; over time it broadened to mean attributing human traits or emotions to any non-human beings or things.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the attribution of human traits, emotions, intentions, or behaviors to non-human entities such as animals, objects, or natural phenomena.
The children's book relied on anthropomorphism to make the animals' feelings easy to understand.
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Noun 2
in theology and philosophy, the representation or conception of a god or divine being in human form or with human attributes.
Ancient myths often show anthropomorphism, depicting gods with human weaknesses and desires.
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Last updated: 2025/08/26 07:23