morpho-, morph-, -morphous, -morphically, -morphia, -morphosis, -morphously, -morphy, -morphic, -morphism

(Greek: shape, form, figure, appearance)

Origins of morpho- words

The Roman god of sleep is Somnus; so, when we are sleepy, we are "somnolent". Sleep walking is "somnambulism" which in Latin means exactly the same thing; that is, "sleepwalking".

The son of Somnus is Morpheus, the god of dreams, indicating that sleep gives birth to dreams. Morpheus goes back through Latin to the Greek word for "form" or "shape" because dreams are forms and shapes developed in the mind while sleeping.

—Compiled from
Words from the Myths by Isaac Asimov;
Houghton Mifflin Company; Boston; 1961; pages 43-44.
anamorphosis
1. A distorted image or drawing of a distorted image that appears normal when viewed with or reflected from a special device.
2. The process of making distorted images by means of special mirrors or other devices.
3. A gradual change in form from one type to another during the evolution of a group of organisms.
anamorphosy
1. An image that appears distorted unless it is viewed from a special angle or with a special instrument; or the production of a distorted image by an optical system.
2. An evolutionary increase in complexity of form and function.
3. A gradually ascending progression or change of form from one type to another in the evolution of a group of animals or plants.
4. In certain arthropods, metamorphosis in which body parts or segments are added to those already present.
andromorphic, andromorphy
Having a morphological (shape, form) resembling males.
andromorphous
Having a masculine appearance; in the shape or form of a man; android.
anisomorphic
Differing in shape, size, or structure.
anthropomorph (s) (noun), anthropomorphs (pl)
1. A representation of the human form in art.
2. A design element that portrays a person or his or her figure: Some anthropomorphs are found on ancient pottery.
anthropomorphic (adjective), more anthropomorphic, most
1. A reference to the explanation of a Deity as having a human form and character.
2. A descriptive application to non-human objects in human form: Rock art that depicts a god as being an anthropomorphic deity is considered as such because of having a human shape.
4. Characterized by animals as possessing human qualities.
5. Suggesting human characteristics for animals or inanimate things: Any creature or material thing that can be seen and touched which is like a human is considered to be an anthropomorphic being or object.
anthropomorphical (adjective), more anthropomorphical, most anthropomorphical
1. Referring to the attribution of a human personality to anything impersonal or irrational.
3. The characterization of non-human objects in human form or animals as possessing human qualities.
anthropomorphically (adverb), more anthropomorphically, most anthropomorphically
Relating to having a human form and characteristics..
anthropomorphism (s) (noun), anthropomorphisms (pl)
The portrayal or conception of a human form or a person's characteristics in a deity, an animal, or on an inanimate object: In religion and mythology, anthropomorphism refers to the symbolism of a human body or of human qualities generally to a divine being or beings.

In other words, anthropomorphism is meant to be a presentation of human characteristics to things that are not human; such as, inanimate objects, animals, or other natural phenomena.

Many mythologies are almost entirely concerned with anthropomorphisms about deities who express human characteristics; such as, jealousy, hatred, or love.

The Greek gods included anthropomorphisms; for example, Zeus and Apollo were often depicted in human form exhibiting both commendable and despicable human traits.

Anthropomorphism is a form of personification applying human or animal qualities to inanimate objects and similarly to adopting the persona of another person with human characteristics and qualities to nonhuman beings, objects, or natural phenomena.

What a strange monster is man; a curiosity, a prodigy, a chaos, a contradiction, judge of all things and a wretched earthworm, repository of truth and sewer of doubt and error, glory and dross of the universe.

—Blaise Pascal
anthropomorphist (s) (noun), anthropomorphists (pl)
1. Someone who regards the human form or other human attributes to a deity or to anything not human.
2. A person who attributes a human personality to God, to abstract ideas, to other animals, etc.
anthropomorphitic (adjective), more anthropomorphitic, most anthropomorphitic
A reference to the attribution of uniquely human characteristics to non-human creatures and beings, natural and supernatural phenomena, material situations and objects, or abstract concepts: Some subjects often include anthropmorphitic animals and plants depicted as creatures with human motivations which are able to reason and converse, and forces of nature; such as, winds or the sun, components in games, etc.

anthropomorphitism (s) (noun), anthropomorphitisms (pl)
1. The representation of the Deity, or of a polytheistic deity, under a human form, or with human attributes and affections.
2. The ascription of human characteristics to things not human.
3. A reference to the designation of human forms, or characteristics, to nonhuman things such as gods or animals.
anthropomorphize (verb), anthropomorphizes; anthropomorphized; anthropomorphizing
To ascribe human characteristics to things not human.
To attribute a human form or personality; such as, to give a nonhuman thing a human form, human characteristics, or human behavior
anthropomorphoid (adjective), more anthropomorphoid, most anthropomorphoid
1. Suggesting or referring to human form and appearance to non-human things.
2. Indicating human motivation, characteristics, or behavior to things not human; such as, inanimate objects, robots, animals, or natural phenomena.
The relation between the Anthropomorphoid Apes and Mankind.
—Discussed by Robert Hartmann; "Die mensch-ahnlichen Affen", Internat Wissenschaft Bibliothek; Leipzig, Germany; 1883.

Inter-related cross references, directly or indirectly, involving word units dealing with "form, shape, appearance": eido-; figur-; form-; icono-; ideo-; imag-; -oid; typo-.