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.

  1. the doctrine that the soul is the principle of life and health.

  2. belief in spiritual beings or agencies.

Origin of animism

1
First recorded in 1825–35; anim(a) + -ism

Other 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

British Dictionary definitions for animism

animism

/ (ˈænɪˌmɪzəm) /


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

Origin of animism

1
C19: from Latin anima vital breath, spirit

Derived 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)

animism

[ (an-uh-miz-uhm) ]


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.)

animism

[ (an-uh-miz-uhm) ]


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.)

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.