“ a. Ascription of a human form and attributes to the Deity. ”
* 1753 Chambers Cycl. Supp., Anthropomorphism, among divines, the error of those who ascribe a human figure to the deity.
Oldest OED definition & use of anthropomorphism. And here I thought it and personification were mere synonyms. Anthropomorphism’s first use in English is as a theological objection. Personification starts out being all about concepts or objects being given human attributes, and is more value-neutral.
