zoomorphichttp://www.oed.com/dictionary/zoomorphic_adj%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_usezoomorphic, adj.
Revised 2017

zoomorphicadjective

  1. 1.
    1849–
    That represents or imitates animal forms, esp. in decorative art or symbolism.
    1. 1849
      The text commences with a zoomorphic letter, formed of two winged dragons.
      F. Madden, translation of J. J. Champollion & A. Champollion Universal Palæography vol. I. 237
    2. 1872
      A legend not in runes, but in zoomorphic characters.
      Archaeologia Cantiana vol. 8 266
    3. 1885
      The zoomorphic character so conspicuous in the ornamentation of Celtic manuscripts.
      C. G. McCrie, Sketches & Studies 23
    4. 1922
      Two [plaques] are ornamented with spirals, as well as with zoomorphic ornament and interlaced work.
      Antiquaries Journal vol. 2 8
    5. 1979
      The handle..bears in all cases a zoomorphic pattern, with eyes to either side of a nose-ridge, on the same face as the front of the bowl.
      Antiquaries Journal vol. 59 382
    6. 2012
      Islam is famous for zoomorphic vessels such as this aquamanile, dating from the early ninth century.
      Church Times 10 August 19/4 (caption)
    1. 2.a.
      1872–
      Esp. of a god or supernatural being: that has, or is conceived or represented as having, the form of an animal.
      1. 1872
        Scandinavians invented new divinities who were no longer zoomorphic but anthropomorphic.
        Academy 15 January 22/2
      2. 1886
        Under Dynasty XII. the gods..appear in their later shapes, often half anthropomorphic, half zoomorphic.
        A. Lang in 19th Century 428
      3. 1887
        All pre-Christian religions have their ‘zoomorphic’..idols.
        A. Lang, Myth, Ritual & Religion vol. I. 9
      4. 1921
        The development of anthropomorphic gods (through zoömorphic deities) from primitive nature worship may have taken place earliest in the North.
        Scand. Studies vol. 7 20
      5. 1987
        At the end of the ancient mythological times all these zoomorphic beings turned into real animals.
        A. Hultkrantz, Native Religions of North America iii. 43
      6. 1995
        Two misanthropic, zoomorphic freelance cops take a gleeful swipe at the ‘soft underbelly’ of the USA.
        Age (Melbourne) (Nexis) 4 January 15
      7. 2002
        Set was originally a zoomorphic local god of Upper Egypt.
        G. M. Eberhart, Mysterious Creatures vol. II. 493/2
    2. 2.b.
      1880–
      That ascribes the form or nature of an animal to something, esp. to a god or supernatural being. Cf. anthropomorphic adj. 1.
      1. 1880
        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.
        J. A. H. Murray, 9th Annual Address Philological Society 22
      2. 1884
        Mr. Sayce, who recognises totemism as the origin of the zoomorphic element in Egyptian religion.
        A. Lang, Custom & Myth 118
      3. 1915
        Belief that man is surrounded by spirits arises not only from zoömorphic interpretation of natural processes.
        E. C. Hayes, Introd. Study Sociology xxx. 559
      4. 1976
        Of all zoomorphic cults, the cult of the serpent..is one of the oldest.
        Current Anthropology vol. 17 742/2
      5. 2004
        Early modern English satire was compulsively zoomorphic.
        K. Perry in E. Fudge, Renaissance Beasts i. 19

zoomorphic, adj. was revised in June 2017.

zoomorphic, adj. was last modified in July 2023.