Is there a word which means the "opposite" of anthropomorphic. That is, ascribing non-human characteristics to human beings? I am looking for something other than "simile" and "metaphor" for expressions like:
Gail was lightning fast Janet was as slow as molasses Gloria ate until she was as big as a house The thief was as quiet as a mouse Ice water ran through his veins Danielle swam like a fish
Posts: 25 | Location: Northern California USA | Registered: 06-12-02
<stanbee>
Posted
euhemeristic eu·he·mer·ism Pronunciation Key (y-hm-rzm,-hm-) n. A theory attributing the origin of the gods to the deification of historical heroes.
(1) it's an anological form: anthropos = man zoo = animal morphic = of the form
(2) One of its definitions is: attributing the form or nature of an animal to something, especially to a deity or a superhuman being.
(Note that the origin of the word 'anthropomorphic' also related to deities or superhuman beings. It began its life as a word to describe theological beliefs that ascribed human attributes e.g. anger and jealousy to a deity.
Posts: 6554 | Location: British Columbia, Canada | Registered: 06-11-02
