animism
the belief that natural objects, natural phenomena, and the universe itself possess souls.
the belief that natural objects have souls that may exist apart from their material bodies.
the doctrine that the soul is the principle of life and health.
belief in spiritual beings or agencies.
Origin of animism
1Other words from animism
- an·i·mist, adjective
- an·i·mis·tic [an-uh-mis-tik], /ˌæn əˈmɪs tɪk/, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use animism in a sentence
The civil war was between the Arab and Muslim north and the Christian and animist south.
A section of the Tziam are Mussulmans, but the majority are animist.
The Races of Man | Joseph DenikerIt is Tylor who formed the animist theory in its essential outlines.
The Elementary Forms of the Religious Life | Emile DurkheimAs long as the animist theory passed as a demonstrated truth, this explanation was able to appear to be confirmed by history.
The Elementary Forms of the Religious Life | Emile DurkheimThe animist and pantheist represent different stages but not different methods of thought.
Hinduism and Buddhism, Vol I. (of 3) | Charles Eliot
British Dictionary definitions for animism
/ (ˈænɪˌmɪzəm) /
the belief that natural objects, phenomena, and the universe itself have desires and intentions
(in the philosophies of Plato and Pythagoras) the hypothesis that there is an immaterial force that animates the universe
Origin of animism
1Derived forms of animism
- animist, noun
- animistic (ˌænɪˈmɪstɪk), adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Cultural definitions for animism (1 of 2)
[ (an-uh-miz-uhm) ]
[ (an-uh-miz-uhm) ]
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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