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personification

noun

/pɜːˌsɒnɪfɪˈkeɪʃᵊn/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of personification

The attribution of human qualities, characteristics, or emotions to non-human entities, such as animals, objects, or abstract concepts.
"The ticking clock was a personification of the passage of time."

Detailed meaning of personification

Personification is a common literary technique that can be used to make a story or poem more engaging and relatable to readers. By giving human traits to inanimate or abstract objects, personification can create a sense of empathy or connection between the reader and the subject. Personification can also be used to convey complex emotions or abstract ideas in a more accessible way, making them easier to understand and relate to. In art, personification can be used to create visual metaphors, such as the depiction of Death as a hooded figure, representing the universality of death across cultures and beliefs. Overall, personification is a powerful tool for creative expression, enabling writers and artists to evoke emotions, convey ideas, and engage their audience in a more meaningful way.

Example sentences containing personification

1. The wind's personification as a mischievous trickster is common in folklore.
2. In literature, personification breathes life into inanimate objects.
3. A classic example of personification is nature's fury in the storm.
4. The moon's personification as a gentle guardian appears in poems.
5. In "The Lion King," animals exhibit personification with human traits.
6. The artist used personification to make the sun smile in the painting.

History and etymology of personification

The noun 'personification' has its etymological origins in Latin. It is formed from the Latin word 'personificatio,' which combines 'persona,' meaning 'person,' and 'ficatio,' derived from 'facere,' meaning 'to make' or 'to do.' In essence, 'personification' involves the act of making something non-human or abstract take on human qualities, characteristics, or emotions. This term has been used in literature and rhetoric to describe the figurative device where human attributes are attributed to entities like animals, objects, or abstract concepts, enriching the description and creating a more vivid and relatable representation. The etymology of 'personification' underscores its role in imbuing inanimate or non-human elements with human-like traits, allowing for a deeper and more engaging exploration of themes and ideas in various forms of creative expression.

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Further usage examples of personification

1. Children's stories often feature personified animals as main characters.
2. In fables, personification teaches moral lessons through animals.
3. Writers employ personification to create vivid, relatable descriptions.
4. The talking teapot in "Beauty and the Beast" is a form of personification.
5. The author's use of personification brought the forest to life.
6. In "Frozen," Elsa's magical powers are a form of personification.
7. A personified clock in a fairy tale adds whimsy to the narrative.
8. The thunderstorm's personification added drama to the scene.
9. The concept of death is often given human traits in literature.
10. Personification turns abstract ideas like love into tangible characters.
11. The river's personification as a storyteller flowed through the novel.
12. In Greek mythology, the sea god Poseidon embodies personification.
13. Personification makes weather reports more engaging by giving storms names.
14. A personified computer assistant like Siri responds to voice commands.
15. The frowning cloud was a perfect personification of the bad weather to come.
16. The image of Death as a skeletal figure is a common personification in art.
17. The raging storm was a vivid personification of nature's fury.
18. The cheery sun, a personification of hope, lifted everyone's spirits.
19. The chirping birds were a personification of nature's melody.
20. The old oak tree was a personification of strength and resilience.
21. The smiling moon was a personification of the night's peacefulness.
22. The roaring lion was a personification of the wildness of nature.
23. The rustling leaves were a personification of the forest's secrets.
24. The playful puppy was a personification of happiness and joy.
25. The colorful butterfly was a personification of freedom and transformation.