zoomorphic

American  

[zoh-uh-mawr-fik] / ˌzoʊ əˈmɔr fɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to a deity or other being conceived of as having the form of an animal.

2. characterized by a highly stylized or conventionalized representation of animal forms.

3. representing or using animal forms.

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Other Word Forms

• zoomorph noun

Etymology

Origin of zoomorphic

First recorded in 1870–75; zoo- + -morphic

Example Sentences

“The oldest surviving example of zoomorphic architecture on Earth,” boasted her human handler and lifelong cheerleader, Richard Helfant.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 27, 2020

Stylings included mythological and zoomorphic motifs — a delightful eruption of irregularity.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 8, 2018

I’m staring at a creature that shouldn’t exist, a zoomorphic mashup of anatomical incongruities.

From Time • Jun. 1, 2016

Just before the curtain was raised inside, we asked readers what they saw when they looked up at the exterior of the zoomorphic pavilion.

From New York Times • Mar. 2, 2016

Briefly, the miraculous and supernatural endowments of the gods of MYTH, whether these gods be zoomorphic or anthropomorphic, are exactly the magical properties with which the medicine-man is credited by his tribe.

From Myth, Ritual and Religion — Volume 1 by Lang, Andrew