theriomorphic

English

Etymology

From therio- (“beast, wild animal”) +‎ -morphic. Originating from Ancient Greek.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /θɪəɹ.i.əˈmɔɹ.fɪk/

• Rhymes: -ɔː(ɹ)fɪk

Adjective

theriomorphic (not comparable)

1. Having the form of a beast.
   • 1924, Herbert Weir Smyth, “II. The Suppliant Maidens”, in Aeschylean Tragedy, page 45:

     Io, of the myth, beloved in bovine form by Zeus, is in reality only ‘ox-eyed’ Hera herself, the great goddess of the Argolic plain. Io, the priestess in the service of the spouse of Zeus, was in fact evolved by the myth out of the theriomorphic Hera and at a time when the old-time belief in animal deities had lost its force.