Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Personify

Per-son′i-fy

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Personified
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Personifying
.]
[
Person
+
-fy
: cf. F.
personnifier
.]
1.
To regard, treat, or represent as a person; to represent as a rational being.
The poets take the liberty of
personifying
inanimate things.
Chesterfield.
2.
To be the embodiment or personification of; to impersonate;
as, he
personifies
the law
.

Webster 1828 Edition


Personify

PERSON'IFY

,
Verb.
T.
[L. persona and facio.] To give animation to inanimate objects; to ascribe to an inanimate being the sentiments, actions or language of a rational being or person,or to represent an inanimate being with the affections and actions of a person. Thus we say, the plants thirst for rain.
The trees said to the fig-tree, come thou, and reign over us. Judges 9.

Definition 2024


personify

personify

English

Verb

personify (third-person singular simple present personifies, present participle personifying, simple past and past participle personified)

  1. (transitive) To be an example of; to have all the attributes of.
    Mozart could be said to personify the idea of a musical genius.
  2. (transitive) To create a representation of an abstract quality in the form of a literary character.
    The writer personified death in the form of the Grim Reaper.

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