Encyclopedia of Fantasy (1997)
Theriomorphy
Tagged: Theme.
Term derived from "theriomorphic" or "animal-shaped" (describing, e.g., the beast-headed Gods of Egypt, or any representation of a deity in animal form); it is used by several fantasy critics and authors to describe the ability to change reversibly and repeatedly between human and animal form, as with Werewolves. This encyclopedia generally prefers the more readily understood word Shapeshifting. [DRL]
see also: Metamorphosis.