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zoomorphic
Hmmm...the trail continues! Zoomorphic and theriomorphic have strikingly similar definitions.
What say ye, folks???
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Carpal Tunnel
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take a look at these citations; they couldn't figure out which one they liked in the 1880s either!  thermiomorphic Having the form of a beast; also transf. of or pertaining to a deity worshipped in the form of a beast.
1882 Sat. Rev. 21 Jan. 71 The process by which Theriomorphic became Anthropomorphic Gods is+sufficiently illustrated in early religions. 1884 E. H. Plumptre in Expositor July 4 The ‘abominations’ of the Egyptian theriomorphic worship. zoomorphic Attributing the form or nature of an animal to something, esp. to a deity or superhuman being. (Cf. anthropomorphic.)
1880 Murray Philol. Soc. Addr. 22 The enlargement or abbreviation of words by letters, which in the curious zoomorphic dialect of many books, creep in, or drop out, or fall away, or develop as parasites. 1884 A. Lang Custom & Myth 118 Mr. Sayce, who recognises totemism as the origin of the zoomorphic element in Egyptian religion.
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Carpal Tunnel
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zo·o·mor·phism (zō'ə-môr'fĭz'əm)
n.
Attribution of animal characteristics or qualities to a god.
Use of animal forms in symbolism, literature, or graphic representation.
zo'o·mor'phic adj.
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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Theriomorphism gets my vote!
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Carpal Tunnel
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hey mav! theriomorphism - The ascription to God or to a god of the form or characteristics of a beast.
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I placed my vote 3 secs from yours, so saw that daftinition only afterwoes. Woe izme. But why keep either of those for that when we have the delightful anthropophuism? 
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Carpal Tunnel
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Not to mention the ever-elusive tetrapylomorph hog! If anyone sights this rare beast in the near future, please notify me immediately!
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addict
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addict
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I believe the word you're looking for is zoomorphism
One of the problems in these searches for lesser used words (be honest, when was the last time you used zoomorphism in everyday conversation?) is that various dictionaries give different definitions for the word. For example for "zoomorphism" one finds variations of:
- conception of a god or man in animal form
- Attribution of animal characteristics or qualities to a god
- The transformation of men into beasts
The only online definition of "teriomorphism" I can find online gives:
- the belief that gods exist in animal form
So as an antonym to "anthropomorphism", my vote goes to "zoomorphism" since at least one definition uses both men and gods, and at least one (other) definition allows both form and other characteristics.
Rod
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journeyman
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journeyman
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Actually, I've been spending a lot of time lately thinking and talking about anthropomorphism and zoomorphism! (It's a dirty job, but.......) I've discovered that older definitions of anthropomorphism point to the use of word to describe the application of human atttributes to dieties, but newer definitions are broader and cover the application of human characteristics to anything (and the dish ran away with the spoon!).
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I've discovered that older definitions of anthropomorphism point to the use of word to describe the application of human atttributes to dieties, but newer definitions are broader and cover the application of human characteristics to anything.oh no! not another transferral?!
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enthusiast
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enthusiast
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Having now checked the OED, I find there is no difference. The zoo- forms in each case (-morph, -morphic, -morphism) precede the therio- forms by a few years or decades, but the quotations don't illustrate any difference. Neither mentions the other, but both are contrasted with anthropomorphism.
When I first posted theriomorphism it was because I had recently read about it and had the impression it was the form used in discussion of Egyptian religion. (The person using the word was an expert graduate student, but a philologist rather than specifically an Egyptologist.)
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