animism

[ an-uh-miz-uhm ]

noun

1. the belief that natural objects, natural phenomena, and the universe itself possess souls.
2. the belief that natural objects have souls that may exist apart from their material bodies.
3. the doctrine that the soul is the principle of life and health.
4. belief in spiritual beings or agencies.

animism

/ ˈænɪˌmɪzəm; ˌænɪˈmɪstɪk /

noun

1. the belief that natural objects, phenomena, and the universe itself have desires and intentions
2. (in the philosophies of Plato and Pythagoras) the hypothesis that there is an immaterial force that animates the universe

animism

¹

1. The belief, common among so-called primitive people, that objects and natural phenomena, such as rivers, rocks, and wind, are alive and have feelings and intentions. Animistic beliefs form the basis of many cults . ( See also fetish and totemism .)

animism

²

1. The belief that natural objects such as rivers and rocks possess a soul or spirit. Anima is the Latin word for “soul” or “spirit.” ( See voodoo .)

Derived Forms

• animistic, adjective
• ˈanimist, noun

Other Words From

• an·i·mist adjective
• an·i·mis·tic [an-, uh, -, mis, -tik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of animism¹

First recorded in 1825–35; anim(a) + -ism

Word History and Origins

Origin of animism¹

C19: from Latin anima vital breath, spirit

Example Sentences

Instead, Dido might have engaged in small, everyday spiritual acts similar to those we see in animism, where spirits reside in all things rather than a handful of powerful deities.

From Popular-Science

This was a new and sophisticated republication of savage animism.

From Project Gutenberg

Hence Animism, Totemism, and their numerous subsidiary developments.

From Project Gutenberg

Animism, an′im-izm, n. a theory which regards the belief in separate spiritual existences as the germ of religious ideas.

From Project Gutenberg

This represents a particular form of animism, for the soul of the ancestor is thought to become a god.

From Project Gutenberg

The sacrificial object is regarded as having a soul, quite in the sense of early animism.

From Project Gutenberg