Merriam-Webster word of the Day - Anthropomorphic

WORD OF THE DAY January 29, 2018

anthropomorphic    adjective | an-thruh-puh-MOR-fik     Definition   1 : described or thought of as having a human form or human attributes   2 : ascribing human characteristics to nonhuman things   Scroll down for more about anthropomorphic       WORD GAMES AND QUIZZES: WEEKLY CHALLENGE   January 2018 Words of the Day Quiz   Word of the day quiz. January-style.     PLAY NOW     Nailed this quiz? We have plenty more to try!  TAKE ME THERE     Plus:   SEE WHAT LOOKUPS ARE TRENDING NOW!         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 ("interpreting or regarding the world in terms of human values and experiences"), 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").     Examples of ANTHROPOMORPHIC   "This animated … comedy, about a depressed horse living among other anthropomorphic animals in a version of Hollywood, somehow explores the depth of human emotion in a way that few other shows do." — Bethonie Butler, The Washington Post, 10 Dec. 2017   "The program sees the magical anthropomorphic bear Brigsby doing battle with an evil wizard in the moon while also teaching multiplication." — David Sims, The Atlantic, 28 July 2017   Word Family Quiz   Fill in the blanks to complete a -morphic word that refers to a lean body build with slight muscular development: e _ _ o _ _ r _ _ ic.   VIEW THE ANSWER           USAGE NOTES     Is 'Knots an Hour' Wrong?   Some say knots can only be a measure of speed. Are they right?   FIND OUT

MORE WORD FUN:     WORD GAMES         TRENDING NOW         WORDS AT PLAY