Final answer:
The term for giving human-like qualities to nonhuman things is 'anthropomorphize.' Both anthropomorphism and personification are literary devices that attribute human behaviors to nonhuman entities, such as animals or objects, to enhance imagery.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term that means to give human-like qualities to things which are not human is anthropomorphize. An example of this can be seen in literature, such as when the daffodils in Wordsworth's poem "I wandered lonely as a cloud" are described as 'dancing.' This attribution of a human behavior to a nonhuman entity is central to the definition of anthropomorphism. Another related term is personification, which similarly involves giving human qualities to animals or objects, as used for imagery in poetry and prose.
Essentially, anthropomorphism and personification are techniques used in language to create relatable and vivid images by comparing nonhuman things to human behaviors or attributes. These devices are prevalent in various forms of writing and are crucial for engaging readers' emotions and imaginations. Unlike anthropomorphism, which is about giving human qualities to animals or objects, philanthropy is about charity or love for humanity, and misanthropy is the hatred or distrust of humankind.