animus

[ an-uh-muhs ]
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noun
  1. strong dislike or enmity; hostile attitude; animosity.

  2. motivating purpose or intention; animating spirit.

  1. (in the psychology of C. G. Jung) the masculine principle, especially as present in women.: Compare anima (def. 2b).

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Origin of animus

1
First recorded in 1810–20; from Latin: literally, “mind, spirit, courage, passion, wrath”; akin to Greek ánemos “wind”; see also anima

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British Dictionary definitions for animus

animus

/ (ˈænɪməs) /


noun
  1. intense dislike; hatred; animosity

  2. motive, intention, or purpose

  1. (in Jungian psychology) the masculine principle present in the female unconscious: See also anima

Origin of animus

1
C19: from Latin: mind, spirit

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