animotheism
|an-i-mo-the-ism|
🇺🇸
/ˌænɪmoʊˈθiːɪzəm/
🇬🇧
/ˌænɪməʊˈθiːɪzəm/
belief in divine/spirited animals
Etymology
'animotheism' is a modern English coinage combining Latin 'anima' meaning 'soul' and Greek 'theos' meaning 'god', with the suffix '-ism' meaning 'belief or system'.
'animotheism' was formed in modern usage as a blend of the older terms 'animism' and 'theism', reflecting a hybrid concept rather than evolving through Middle English.
Initially coined to describe a hybrid theoretical position (between animism and theism), its meaning has remained largely stable as a term for belief in divine or spirit-filled animals.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a coined term denoting a belief or doctrine that animals possess divine spirits or that gods are embodied in animals; a blend of animism and theism.
The anthropologist documented instances of animotheism in the tribe's ritual practices.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/08/12 15:21