theriomorphic

or the·ri·o·mor·phous

[ theer-ee-uh-mawr-fik ]

adjective

1. (of deities) thought of or represented as having the form of beasts.

theriomorphic

/ ˌθɪərɪəʊˈmɔːfɪk /

adjective

1. (esp of a deity) possessing or depicted in the form of a beast

Derived Forms

• ˈtherioˌmorph, noun

Other Words From

• theri·o·morph noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of theriomorphic¹

1880–85; < Greek thēriómorph ( os ) beast-shaped ( thērío ( n ) wild beast + -morphos -morphous ) + -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of theriomorphic¹

C19: from Greek thēriomorphos, from thērion wild animal + morphē shape

Example Sentences

Though all these mythical beings are in a sense departmental gods, they yield in renown to a later child of their race, Maui, the great culture-hero, who is an advanced form of the culture-heroes, mainly theriomorphic, of the lower races.*

From Project Gutenberg

In the myths of the other races on the North-west Pacific Coast nothing is more remarkable than the theriomorphic character of the heroes, who are also to a certain extent gods and makers of things.

From Project Gutenberg

It is not to be expected that many, if any, remains of a theriomorphic character should cling to a goddess so abstract as Aditi.

From Project Gutenberg

The zoo-morphic or theriomorphic mythologies and creeds are nowhere more vivacious than in America.

From Project Gutenberg

If our theory of the evolution of gods is correct, we may expect to find in the myths of Indra traces of a theriomorphic character.

From Project Gutenberg