personification

[ per-son-uh-fi-key-shuh n ]
/ pərˌsɒn ə fɪˈkeɪ ʃən /

noun

the attribution of human nature or character to animals, inanimate objects, or abstract notions, especially as a rhetorical figure.
the representation of a thing or abstraction in the form of a person, as in art.
the person or thing embodying a quality or the like; an embodiment or incarnation: He is the personification of tact.
an imaginary person or creature conceived or figured to represent a thing or abstraction.
the act of personifying; the attributing of human qualities to an animal, object, or abstraction: The author's personification of the farm animals made for an enchanting children's book.
a character portrayal or representation in a dramatic or literary work.

Origin of personification

First recorded in 1745–55; personi(fy) + -fication

OTHER WORDS FROM personification

per·son·i·fi·ca·tor, noun non·per·son·i·fi·ca·tion, noun

Example sentences from the Web for personification

British Dictionary definitions for personification

personification
/ (pɜːˌsɒnɪfɪˈkeɪʃən) /

noun

the attribution of human characteristics to things, abstract ideas, etc, as for literary or artistic effect
the representation of an abstract quality or idea in the form of a person, creature, etc, as in art and literature
a person or thing that personifies
a person or thing regarded as an embodiment of a quality he is the personification of optimism