personify
|per/son/i/fy|
C1
🇺🇸
/pərˈsɑːnɪfaɪ/
🇬🇧
/pəˈsɒnɪfaɪ/
attribute human traits
Etymology
Etymology Information
'personify' originates from the French word 'personnifier,' which is derived from the Latin 'persona,' meaning 'character' or 'mask.'
Historical Evolution
'personnifier' transformed into the English word 'personify' during the late 16th century.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'to represent as a person,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
to attribute human characteristics to something non-human.
The poet personified the wind as a gentle whisper.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:41