Animism
/ˈæn.ɪ.mɪ.zəm/noun
The belief that objects, places, and creatures possess a distinct spiritual essence or soul.
Did you know?Animism was coined in the 19th century from Latin anima, “breath, soul,” the same sacred root behind words for life itself, so the term literally frames spirit as something that animates matter.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₂enh₁-
“to breathe, breathe out, blow”
Latin
Latin
anima
“breath, soul, life, spirit”
Medieval Latin
Latin
animismus
“a doctrine or theory of life or soul”
1870s
English
animism
“the attribution of a soul or life to natural objects and phenomena”
Modern English
English
animism
“the belief that nonhuman things have spiritual essence or agency”
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