anthropomorphism
English
editEtymology
editCoined in the mid-1700s. From Ancient Greek ἄνθρωπος (ánthrōpos, “man, human”) and μορφή (morphḗ, “form, shape”).
Pronunciation
edit- (General American) IPA(key): /ˌænθɹəpəˈmɔɹfɪzəm/
Audio (US): (file)
Noun
editanthropomorphism (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 entities.
Usage notes
editDespite 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
editCoordinate terms
editDerived terms
editRelated terms
editTranslations
editthe attribution or ascription of human characteristics to something not human
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See also
editFurther reading
edit- anthropomorphism on Wikipedia.Wikipedia