Personifying: meaning, definitions and examples

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personifying

[ pərˈsɒnɪfaɪɪŋ ]

^{Context #1}

in literature

Personifying is the act of giving human characteristics to something that is not human, such as an animal, object, or abstract concept. It is a popular literary device used to make the writing more engaging and relatable.

Synonyms

anthropomorphize, embodiment, humanize

Examples of usage

By personifying the wind as a mischievous child, the author created a sense of playfulness in the story.
The poet used personifying language to describe the sun as a nurturing mother, providing warmth and light to the earth.

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psychology

Personifying is a defense mechanism in psychology where a person attributes human characteristics to inanimate objects or abstract concepts. It can help individuals cope with difficult emotions or situations by externalizing them onto something else.

Synonyms

attribution, externalization, projection

Examples of usage

The patient's tendency to personify their anxiety as a dark shadow helped them separate from the overwhelming emotions.
Through personifying her fears as a monster under the bed, the child felt more in control of her anxiety.

Translations

Translations of the word "personifying" in other languages:

🇵🇹 personificando

🇮🇳 व्यक्तित्व देना

🇩🇪 personifizieren

🇮🇩 memersonifikasikan

🇺🇦 персоніфікація

🇵🇱 personifikacja

🇯🇵 擬人化する

🇫🇷 personnifier

🇪🇸 personificar

🇹🇷 kişileştirme

🇰🇷 의인화하다

🇸🇦 تجسيد

🇨🇿 personifikace

🇸🇰 personifikácia

🇨🇳 拟人化

🇸🇮 osebnostiti

🇮🇸 persónugera

🇰🇿 персонализация

🇬🇪 პერსონიფიცირება

🇦🇿 şəxsiləşdirmək

🇲🇽 personificar

Word origin

The term 'personifying' originates from the combination of 'person' and 'fying', where 'person' refers to an individual with human qualities and 'fying' indicates the action of making something possess those qualities. The concept of personification has been used in literature and psychology for centuries, dating back to ancient times when gods and natural elements were often personified in myths and stories.