animist
|an-i-mist|
🇺🇸
/ˈænəmɪst/
🇬🇧
/ˈænɪmɪst/
things have souls
Etymology
'animist' originates from French, specifically the word 'animiste', where the root 'anima' (from Latin) meant 'breath, soul'.
'animist' changed from French 'animiste', which came via New Latin 'animismus' from Latin 'anima'; it entered English as 'animist' to denote someone holding the beliefs of animism.
Initially associated with the doctrine or belief ('animism'), it came to be used for a person who holds that belief ('animist').
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person who believes that objects, places, and creatures all possess a distinct spiritual essence; a follower of animism.
She is an animist who honors the spirits of the river and the forest.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Noun 2
someone who attributes life or spirit to inanimate objects or natural phenomena (often used to describe a cultural or religious viewpoint).
As an animist, he believes the old tree has a guardian spirit.
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/08/12 12:21