To anthropomorphize means to attribute human traits, tendencies, and emotions to non-human entities. The word is derived from the Greek words ánthrōpos (ἄνθρωπος, lit. “human”) and morphē (μορφή, “form”).
The tendency to attribute human feelings to nonhumans is widespread and ancient, dating from the dawn of prehistory.
When human characteristics are applied to things such as the weather, this is known as personification.
The advertisement to the left is a nineteenth century anthropomorphic image of a raven. While researching my novel today, I ran across this picture and wanted to find a suitable word that would allow me to do so. I’d hoped to find a word which defined the glossiness of a raven’s feathers, but the synonyms offered were too obvious. So, here I offer you an anthropomorphic bird in traditional morning coat.