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Glite Dictionary
🧑 Becoming human 🧬 Human evolution
hominization

hominization

9.9
The idea that a being that is not human becomes human and gains human qualities
  • noun
  • /ˌhɒmɪnaɪˈzeɪʃən/
  • Formal
translation icon : humanización
  • Philosophers often discuss the process of hominization to explore how divine beings might gain human-like traits.

Examples

  • In many cultures, stories of gods becoming humans highlight the concept of hominization and the qualities that define humanity.

  • This "delayed hominization" view was confirmed by the Council of Vienne in 1312 and has never been officially repudiated.

    Blog text (2)

  • The artist's new work reflects themes of hominization, illustrating how humans adopt moral and cultural qualities.

Synonyms

humanization
vshominization
2 6.3

To make something seem more like a real person with feelings

focuses on non-human or divine beings becoming human in philosophical contexts
anthropomorphization
vshominization
  • Specialized
1 9.9

The act of giving human qualities to animals or objects

describes actual transformation or internal development of social and moral qualities
anthropomorphosis
vshominization
  • Specialized
9.9

Changing into a human, for example when an animal or robot becomes a person

also covers gradual gaining of social or moral qualities in philosophical contexts

Surface Forms

hominization singular
hominizations plural

Morphology

hominization = hominize (semi-transparent) = homin + ize + ation

The morphological formation is regular, but 'homin-' is a specialized combining form rather than a familiar English base, so learners may not infer the meaning immediately.

Etymology

Hominization comes from the Latin root homo meaning 'human' and the suffix -ization meaning 'the process'. In philosophy and religion it means the process or moment of 'becoming human' or gaining human qualities like social, moral, or cultural traits.