'inanimate' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'inanimatus', where the prefix 'in-' meant 'not' and 'animatus' derived from 'anima' meaning 'breath' or 'soul'.

'inanimatus' passed into Old French as 'inanimé' and then into Middle English, eventually becoming the modern English adjective 'inanimate'.

Initially it meant 'not endowed with breath or spirit' (i.e., 'not animated'); over time it retained that central sense and is now used to mean 'not alive; lifeless or lacking consciousness'.