before a vowel theri-, representing Gr. θηριο-, combining form of θηρίον, dim. of θήρ wild beast; forming the first element in some scientific and other words. Therianthropic a. [Gr. ἄνθρωπος man], combining the form of a beast with that of a man; of or pertaining to deities represented in the combined forms of man and beast, as dog- or eagle-headed divinities. Therianthropism, representation or worship of therianthropic deities (Funk’s Stand. Dict., 1895). Theriodont [Gr. ὀδούς ὀδοντ- tooth], a fossil reptile with teeth of a mammalian type, spec. one of the order Theriodontia; also attrib. or as adj. Theriolatry, the worship of beasts, or of theriomorphic deities. † Theriologic, † -ical adjs. rare, of or pertaining to the scientific study of beasts; zoological. Theriomancy [-MANCY], divination from the movements of animals. Theriomaniac, nonce-wd., one who has a mania for hunting wild beasts. Theriopod a. and sb. THEROPOD (Cent. Dict., 1891). Theriotomy [Gr. τομή cutting], the dissection or anatomy of beasts; zootomy. Theriotrophical a. [Gr. τροφικ-ός nursing], concerning the nursing or rearing (of man) by beasts. Theriozoic a. [ZOIC], of or belonging to a period in human history anterior to the domestication of animals.
1886. C. P. Tiele, in Encycl. Brit., XX. 367/2. Religions, in which animistic ideas still play a prominent part, but which have grown up to a *therianthropic polytheism.
1876. Owen, in Q. Jrnl. Geol. Soc., XXXII. 352 (title), Evidences of *Theriodonts in Permian Deposits elsewhere [etc.]. Ibid., 356. It is to the Theriodont, not the Labyrinthodont order that such humerus must be referred.
1872. Le Conte, Elem. Geol. (1879), 410. Remarkable reptiles,… which from some mammalian characters, especially in the teeth, he [Owen] calls Theriodonts (beast tooth).
1905. Athenæum, 25 Feb., 246/3. On … the Anatomy of a Theriodont Reptile.
1897. Edin. Rev., July, 239. He rightly declines to trace back all *theriolatry to totemism.
[1620. Alsted, Encycl., 625. Physiognomia *theriologica est bestiarum.]
1697. Evelyn, Numism., viii. 296. Compares this Theriologic Physiognomy and resemblance of Brutes.
1653. R. Sanders, Physiogn., b ij. I have dispatcht all the parts of Physiognomie except the *Theriological part.
1652. Gaule, Magastrom., xix. 165. *Theriomancy, [divining] by Beasts.
1838. Q. Rev. LXII. 393. This royal *theriomaniac is portrayed in every attitude of the chase in prints of sporting-books.
1845. Ford, Handbk. Spain, II. xi. 751/2. Portraits of theriomaniac Austrian royalty.
1857. Dunglison, Med. Lex., *Theriotomy, zootomy.
1845. Ford, Handbk. Spain, I. vii. 535/1. These *theriotrophical legends are of all countries; thus Habis, king of Spain, was reared by a doe.
1898. Sir H. Howorth, in Nat. Sc., April, 269. To separate the *Theriozoic beds into two series.
