zoanthropic
|zo-anth-ro-pic|
🇺🇸
/ˌzoʊænˈθrɑːpɪk/
🇬🇧
/ˌzəʊænˈθrɒpɪk/
animal–human confusion / animal-like
Etymology
'zoanthropic' originates from Greek, specifically the words 'zōon' and 'anthrōpos', where 'zōon' meant 'animal' and 'anthrōpos' meant 'human'.
'zoanthropic' developed in Modern English from the noun 'zoanthropy' (formed from Greek components) with the adjective-forming suffix '-ic', producing the adjective 'zoanthropic'.
Initially it referred specifically to matters relating to zoanthropy (the notion or condition of being an animal), but over time it has been used both in psychiatric contexts for the delusional belief and more broadly to describe animal-like characteristics.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
relating to or characteristic of zoanthropy: a psychiatric or delusional condition in which a person believes they are an animal.
The patient's zoanthropic delusions made him insist he could hunt like a wolf.
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Adjective 2
having or showing animal-like characteristics or instincts; bestial.
The novel uses zoanthropic imagery to blur the line between human and beast.
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Last updated: 2025/10/13 22:01