anthropomorphism
English edit
Etymology edit
Coined in the mid-1700s. From Ancient Greek ἄνθρωπος (ánthrōpos, “man, human being”) and μορφή (morphḗ, “form, shape”).
Pronunciation edit
- (General American) IPA(key): /ˌænθɹəpəˈmɔɹfɪzəm/
Audio (US) (file)
Noun edit
anthropomorphism (countable and uncountable, plural anthropomorphisms)
- The attribution of human characteristics and behavior to something not human. [from mid-18th c.]
- (theology) The attribution of human characteristics to divine beings.
Usage notes edit
Despite the similarity in meaning, this term carries very different connotations when used in different contexts. In literature, anthropomorphism describes merely a device of fiction writing, whereas in science (particularly biology) anthropomorphism has traditionally been used pejoratively when a scientist appears to be attributing to animals characteristics that are assumed to be exclusive to human beings.
Antonyms edit
Coordinate terms edit
Related terms edit
Translations edit
the attribution or ascription of human characteristics to something not human
|
See also edit
Further reading edit
- anthropomorphism on Wikipedia.Wikipedia