Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Nearby Words

animism

 - 3 dictionary results

an⋅i⋅mism

  [an-uh-miz-uhm]
Use animism in a Sentence
–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.
3. the doctrine that the soul is the principle of life and health.
4. belief in spiritual beings or agencies.
Origin:
1825–35; < L anim(a) (see anima ) + -ism

Related forms:
an⋅i⋅mist, adjective
an⋅i⋅mis⋅tic, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To animism
an·i·mism   (ān'ə-mĭz'əm)   
n.  

  1. The belief in the existence of individual spirits that inhabit natural objects and phenomena.

  2. The belief in the existence of spiritual beings that are separable or separate from bodies.

  3. The hypothesis holding that an immaterial force animates the universe.


[From Latin anima, soul; see anə- in Indo-European roots.]
an'i·mist n., an'i·mis'tic adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: an·i·mism
Pronunciation: 'an-&-"miz-&m
Function: noun
1 : a doctrine that the vital principle of organicdevelopment is immaterial spirit
2 : attribution of conscious life to nature or natural objects —an·i·mist /-m&st/ noun —an·i·mis·tic /"an-&-'mis-tik/ adjective
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see animism on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way