zoomorphic

zoomorphic — adjective

  • zoomorphicpositive
  • more zoomorphiccomparative
  • most zoomorphicsuperlative

1. having an animal's shape, or showing features that make it look like an animal

1.形容詞C2
釋義

having an animal's shape, or showing features that make it look like an animal

例句

The silver cup has a zoomorphic handle shaped like a curling fish.

collocation: zoomorphic handle

Visitors stopped beside a zoomorphic stone carving of a crouching lion.

collocation: zoomorphic carving

同義詞
  • animal-shaped

    everyday and clearer in general speech; zoomorphic is more formal and often used in art or museum contexts

  • animal-like

    broader and can describe movement or behaviour, not only physical form

  • bestial

    usually describes savage behaviour or rough appearance, not crafted shape

反義詞
  • human-shaped

    having the form of a person rather than an animal

  • geometric

    based on regular shapes rather than living forms

文法句型

zoomorphic carving

zoomorphic handle

zoomorphic design

用法筆記

Usually used before nouns in writing about art, design, decoration, and archaeology. Use it when something is made to resemble an animal, not when you simply mean that real animals are present.

常見錯誤

❌The forest is zoomorphic.
✅The forest is full of animals.
💡zoomorphic describes shape or appearance, not a place where animals live.
❌The eagle in the sky looked zoomorphic.
✅The ornament looked zoomorphic.
💡use zoomorphic for something made to look like an animal, not for a real animal itself.

2. presenting gods as animals, or linked to gods imagined with animal features

2.形容詞C2
釋義

presenting gods as animals, or linked to gods imagined with animal features

例句

The temple wall shows a zoomorphic god with a falcon's head.

collocation: zoomorphic god

Leila studied zoomorphic deities in ancient Egyptian wall paintings.

collocation: zoomorphic deities

同義詞
  • theriomorphic

    a more technical term in religion or art history for gods shown in animal form

  • animal-formed

    descriptive but less established as a specialist label

  • animal-headed

    narrower; only fits deities shown with an animal head rather than any animal feature

反義詞
  • anthropomorphic

    showing a non-human being with human form or qualities instead

文法句型

zoomorphic deity

zoomorphic god

zoomorphic image

用法筆記

Found mainly in writing about ancient religion, ritual art, and symbolism. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is specifically about divine beings or sacred images, not ordinary animal-shaped decoration.

常見錯誤

❌The museum sold zoomorphic key rings near the exit.
✅The museum sold animal-shaped key rings near the exit.
💡this sense belongs to gods or sacred images, not ordinary souvenirs.