personify
UK[pəˈsɒnɪfaɪ]US[pərˈsɑːnɪfaɪ]
v
to represent a thing or idea as a person in art, literature, etc.
v
to be a perfect example of a particular quality or idea.
Morpheme Breakdown
person
ify
person
ify
Etymology
the word 'personify' is a modern english formation, entering the language in the 18th century. it is built upon the noun 'person', which itself traces back to latin 'persona', originally denoting a theatrical mask worn by an actor and later extending to mean a character or an individual. the suffix '-ify', derived from latin '-ficare' meaning 'to make', is a productive verb-forming element in english. thus, the literal construction 'to make into a person' elegantly captures the act of attributing personal form or character to an abstract concept, animal, or inanimate object, a core technique in allegory and figurative expression.
Analysis
Structure: person + ify
person (from latin 'persona', meaning 'mask, character, person'; functions as the core noun root) + ify (from latin '-ificare', via old french '-ifier', meaning 'to make'; functions as a verb-forming suffix)
Examples
the artist chose to personify justice as a blindfolded woman holding scales.
for many, he personifies the spirit of determination and resilience.
in the fable, the wind and the sun are personified, arguing with each other.