anthropomorphic
/,ænθrəpə'mɔ:fik/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Attributing human characteristics to non-human entities: Describing or representing animals, objects, or abstract concepts as having human form, traits, emotions, or intentions.
Usage
- The term is used to describe a common tendency in storytelling, art, religion, and everyday language to make non-human things more relatable or understandable by giving them human qualities.
- It is often applied to characters in fables, cartoons, mythology, and certain philosophical or religious beliefs.
Examples
- In literature and media:
- The anthropomorphic animals in the fable, like the talking fox and wise owl, teach moral lessons.
- Many ancient myths feature anthropomorphic gods who experience love, jealousy, and anger.
- In everyday description:
- It's an anthropomorphic tendency to say the car is "being stubborn" when it won't start.
- The artist created an anthropomorphic tree with a face and limbs.
Advanced Usage
- Anthropomorphic projection: The cognitive act of attributing human characteristics to non-human agents.
- The child's anthropomorphic projection onto her toy robot made it a comforting companion.
- Anthropomorphic design: A design principle in technology or product development that incorporates human-like features.
- The robot's anthropomorphic design, with two arms and a head, made it easier for people to interact with.
Variants and Related Words
- Anthropomorphism (noun): The attribution of human characteristics or behavior to a god, animal, or object.
- The anthropomorphism in the cartoon makes the characters endearing to children.
- Anthropomorphize (verb): To attribute human characteristics or behavior to (a god, animal, or object).
- People often anthropomorphize their pets, believing they understand complex human emotions.
Synonyms
- Personified: Represented or thought of as having a human form or human attributes.
- Humanized: Made human or more human-like in character.
Related Concepts
- Zoomorphism: The attribution of animal characteristics to humans or gods (the conceptual opposite of anthropomorphism).
- Pathetic fallacy: A literary device where nature or inanimate objects are described as having human feelings.
Adjective
- suggesting human characteristics for animals or inanimate things