Word of the Day

: April 8, 2008

anthropomorphic

adjective an-thruh-puh-MOR-fik

What It Means

1 : described or thought of as having a human form or human attributes

2 : ascribing human characteristics to nonhuman things

anthropomorphic in Context

To encourage healthy eating habits, the children's TV show features anthropomorphic fruits and vegetables that talk about good nutrition.

Did You Know?

"Anthropomorphic" comes from the Late Latin word "anthropomorphus," which itself traces to a Greek term birthed from the roots "anthrōp-" (meaning "human being") and "-morphos" ("-morphous"). Those ancient Greek roots have given form and personality to many English words. "Anthrōp-" relatives include "anthropic" ("relating to human beings or the period of their existence on earth"), "anthropocentric" ("considering human beings the center of the universe"), "anthropoid" (an ape), and "anthropology" ("the study of human beings and their ancestors"). Derivatives of "-morphos" often end in "-morphism," as in "polymorphism" ("the quality or state of existing in or assuming different forms"), or "-morphic," as in "biomorphic" ("resembling the forms of living organisms").