Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PER-SON'I-FY, v.t. [L. persona and facio.]

To give animation to inanimate objects; to ascribe to an inanimate being the sentiments, actions or language of a rational being or person, or to represent an inanimate being with the affections and actions of a person. Thus we say, the plants thirst for rain. The trees said to the fig-tree, come thou, and reign over us. – Judges ix.