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Glite Dictionary
zoomorphic

zoomorphic

8.8
Having the shape or look of an animal
  • adjective
  • /zuˈmɔrfɪk/
  • Literature
translation icon : zoomórfico
  • Witness the zoomorphic vocabulary of Romanesque architectural decoration that so distressed Bernard of Clairvaux.
  • zoomorphic sculptures
  • zoomorphic images
  • zoomorphic figure

Examples

  • Viewers today seek to discover zoomorphic figures in Inka rock patterns, much as they might look for recognizable shapes in clouds.

    Academic text (2007)

  • The ancient temple featured zoomorphic designs, including carvings of animals that blended seamlessly with its architectural elements.

  • By contrast, anthropomorphic and zoomorphic images proliferated in the secular arts.

    Academic text (2002)

  • While occasionally zoomorphic forms are found, the most frequently carved shapes are terraces, seats or niches, platforms, and steps.

    Academic text (2007)

  • Investigations of burial grounds have brought to light anthropomorphic and zoomorphic sculptures in terracotta, both intact and in fragments.

    Academic text (2000)

  • The third type of nyau mask is a large zoomorphic basketry structure that envelops the entire body of the dancer (Fig. 2).

    Academic text (1993)

  • In the interpretations of the potters, cowrie shells, snakes, frogs, and other zoomorphic and geometrical patterns placed on pots give form to different elements of the social space inhabited by men, women, ancestors, gods, and animals.

    Academic text (2007)

  • Artists often use zoomorphic shapes in their sculptures to create dynamic representations of nature.

  • The storyteller described a zoomorphic character that combined human traits with the likeness of a majestic wolf.

Synonyms

figural
vszoomorphic
  • Specialized
1 8.2

Showing people or animals in art

focuses on animal form or appearance specifically rather than human figures
animalier
vszoomorphic
  • Specialized
9.8

Showing animals in art in a detailed, lifelike way

refers to having animal form or features rather than direct depiction

Antonyms

anthropomorphic
8 8.4

People describe animals and objects as having human form or feelings

How Animal-Like

lifelike
22 3.9
naturalistic
12 6.0
zoomorphic
  • Literature
8.8
stylized
11 5.9
abstract
35 7.1

Surface Forms

zoomorphic positive

Morphology

zoomorphic = zoo + morph (semi-transparent) = zoo + morph + ic

The element 'zoo' clearly signals 'animal' and '-ic' marks an adjective, but 'morph' (shape/form) is a less familiar combining form to many learners, so the composition is only partly obvious.

Etymology

Zoomorphic comes from zoo- meaning 'animal' and -morphic meaning 'shape', and you can remember it by thinking of a zoo (a place for animals). So, something zoomorphic has an animal 'shape' or looks like an animal, especially in art.