Anthropomorphization

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˌænθɹɒpəˌmɔːɹfəˈzeɪʃən/

Definitions

1. The process of ascribing human characteristics, emotions, or intentions to non-human entities, such as animals, objects, or ideas, is called attributing humanlike qualities to them
2. This involves attributing human traits and feelings to entities that are not human, making it easier to relate to or understand them
3. The act of giving human traits, emotions, or intentions to non-human beings or objects allows for a deeper connection to those entities

Etymology: The root of this word began as a religious dispute. The Anthropomorphites were a group of early Christian monks, probably in fourth-century Egypt, who took the Genesis line that humans were made in God's image so literally that they believed God had a human body. Their critics regarded this as a serious error, and the name became a label for the heresy. The modern word is built from the Greek "anthropos", meaning human, and "morphe", meaning form or shape. English added "-ize", meaning to make or treat as, and "-ation", which names the act. Together they describe the act of giving something a human shape or character.

Synonyms: personification