Animalism
/ˈænɪməlˌɪzəm/noun
The doctrine, behavior, or tendency of emphasizing animal nature, instincts, or physical appetites.
Did you know?Animal and animate both ultimately come from Latin anima, meaning “breath” or “soul,” so this word family began as a study of what makes something alive.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
anima
“breath, soul, life”
Late Latin
Latin
animal
“a living being, creature”
Middle English
English
animal
“a living creature; later, a beast”
19th Century
English
animalism
“the doctrine or quality of being animal in nature or behavior”
Modern English
English
animalism
“emphasis on instinctive or physical nature; the doctrine of animal nature”