(n.) The attribution of human characteristics to animals or other non-human objects/inanimate objects (eg, trees, birds, buildings, etc.). (Syn.: anthropomorphism; anthropomorphization)

Examples of anthropomorphosis are commonly found in fictional literature, predominantly within metaphors and similes. Descriptive writing also utilizes it.

For example, "the angry waves of the North Sea" is a mild anthropomorphization, since it declares waves of water to have emotional capabilities.

Another example would be: "the tall and menacing trees stared at me from their heavenly heights and tried to grab at me with their gargantuan wooden claws." This is anthropomorphic because:

1) Trees are not menacing.
2) Trees don't have "claws."
3) Trees cannot grab, nor can they "try" to.

Most commonly, however, anthropomorphic qualities are found within eco-friendly humans who sympathize with certain environmental and moral issues. For example, there are many people who oppose the concept of zoos. An anthropomorphic statement could be: "Look at that poor lion. He's just sitting in there. He LOOKS ...