animus

[an-uh-muhs]

noun

1. strong dislike or enmity; hostile attitude; animosity.

2. motivating purpose or intention; animating spirit.

3. (in the psychology of C. G. Jung) the masculine principle, especially as present in women.

animus

/ ˈænɪməs /

noun

1. intense dislike; hatred; animosity

2. motive, intention, or purpose

3. (in Jungian psychology) the masculine principle present in the female unconscious See also anima

Word History and Origins

Origin of animus¹

First recorded in 1810–20; from Latin: literally, “mind, spirit, courage, passion, wrath”; akin to Greek ánemos “wind”; anima

Word History and Origins

Origin of animus¹

C19: from Latin: mind, spirit

Example Sentences

Either way, radicalism and animus replace knowledge and wisdom.

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"He has no apparent animus towards anyone or anything," said film and theatre director Mike Nichols, who directed the Broadway premiere of Stoppard's tale of marriage and affairs "The Real Thing".

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Collins, the attorney for Grubb, said this wasn’t a case motivated by racial animus.

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More important, such animus calls into question the role of Jews in the stories that form our nation and civilization.

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Their attacks on H-1B visas, which are often used to hire scientists and engineers, suggest an animus toward foreign workers regardless of their legal status.

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