'animable' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'animabilis', where 'anima' meant 'soul' and the suffix '-bilis' meant 'capable of.'

'animabilis' transformed into French 'animable', and eventually became the modern English word 'animable'.

Initially, it meant 'enlivening; that gives life', but over time it evolved into the rare modern senses of 'capable of being animated' and, more generally, 'animate; living.'