pathetic fallacy — n. [first used by J. Ruskin] in literature, the attribution of human feelings and characteristics to inanimate things (Ex.: the angry sea, a stubborn door) … English World dictionary
Pathetic fallacy — The pathetic fallacy or anthropomorphic fallacy is the treatment of inanimate objects as if they had human feelings, thoughts, or sensations. The pathetic fallacy is a special case of the fallacy of reification. The word in this use is related to … Wikipedia
pathetic fallacy — noun the fallacy of attributing human feelings to inanimate objects; the friendly sun is an example of the pathetic fallacy • Hypernyms: ↑fallacy, ↑false belief * * * paˌthetic ˈfallacy f6 [pathetic fallacy] noun … Useful english dictionary
pathetic fallacy — the endowment of nature, inanimate objects, etc., with human traits and feelings, as in the smiling skies; the angry sea. [coined by John Ruskin in Modern Painters Vol. III, Part IV (1856)] * * * ▪ figure of speech poetic practice of… … Universalium
pathetic fallacy — pa.thetic fallacy n [U] technical the idea of describing the sea, rocks, weather etc in literature as if they were human … Dictionary of contemporary English
pathetic fallacy — noun Date: 1856 the ascription of human traits or feelings to inanimate nature (as in cruel sea) … New Collegiate Dictionary
pathetic fallacy — noun An error in logical argumentation which consists in treating inanimate objects or concepts as if they were human beings, for instance having thoughts or feelings … Wiktionary
pathetic fallacy — noun the attribution of human feelings and responses to inanimate things or animals … English new terms dictionary
pathetic fallacy — noun (U) technical the idea of describing the sea, rocks, weather etc in literature as if they were human … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
pathetic fallacy — pathet′ic fal′lacy n. fia lit. the endowment of nature, inanimate objects, etc., with human traits and feelings, as in the smiling skies[/ex] … From formal English to slang