Zoomorphism

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Zoomorphism \Zo`o*mor"phism\, n.
     1. The transformation of men into beasts. [R.] --Smart.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. The quality of representing or using animal forms; as,
        zoomorphism in ornament.


        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. The representation of God, or of gods, in the form, or
        with the attributes, of the lower animals.
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              To avoid the error of anthropomorphism, we fall into
              the vastly greater, and more absurd, error of
              zoomorphism.                          --Mivart.
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From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  zoomorphism
       n : the attribution of animal forms or qualities to a god