Definition

1. Noun:
   • The attribution of animal forms or qualities to a deity or supernatural being: This is the primary meaning, referring to the representation of gods or divine figures with animal characteristics.
   • The use of animal forms in art, symbolism, or literature: More broadly, it can describe the artistic or literary technique of applying animal traits to non-animal subjects, including humans or objects.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Ancient Egyptian religion is known for its zoomorphism, with gods like Anubis having the head of a jackal.
  • The poet's zoomorphism gave the mountain the silent, watchful quality of a great beast.
  • In her sculpture, a clear zoomorphism is evident as the chair legs are carved to resemble lion's paws.

Advanced Usage

• As a critical term: In art history and literary criticism, "zoomorphism" is used to analyze and describe the symbolic use of animal imagery.
  • The critic analyzed the novel's zoomorphism, where machines were described with predatory instincts.
• Contrast with anthropomorphism: While anthropomorphism gives human traits to non-humans, zoomorphism gives animal traits to non-animals.
  • The story features both anthropomorphism (a talking tree) and zoomorphism (a villain with serpentine cunning).

Variants and Related Words

• Zoomorphic (adj): Having or representing animal forms.
  • The artifact was decorated with zoomorphic patterns of birds and fish.
• Theriomorphism: A more specific term for the attribution of animal form, particularly to deities.

Synonyms

• Animalization: The act of making something animal-like.
• Beast imagery: The use of animal forms as symbols (less formal).

Related Concepts (Not Phrasal Verbs)

• Personification: Attributing human characteristics to something non-human.
• Deification: Treating someone or something as a god (the opposite conceptual process in some contexts).

Noun

1. the attribution of animal forms or qualities to a god