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Webster 1913 Edition


Zoomorphism

Zoˊo-mor′phism

,
Noun.
1.
The transformation of men into beasts.
[R.]
Smart.
2.
The quality of representing or using animal forms;
as,
zoomorphism
in ornament
.
3.
The representation of God, or of gods, in the form, or with the attributes, of the lower animals.
To avoid the error of anthropomorphism, we fall into the vastly greater, and more absurd, error of
zoomorphism
.
Mivart.

Definition 2024


zoomorphism

zoomorphism

See also: zoömorphism

English

Zoomorphic decoration from the Book of Kells.

Alternative forms

Noun

zoomorphism (plural zoomorphisms)

  1. The representation of gods as animals or the attributing of animal characteristics to gods.
  2. (art, literature) The use of animal figures in art and design or of animal symbols in literature.
  3. The viewing of human behavior in terms of the behavior of animals.

Translations

See also