Animate Definition

ănə-māt

animated, animates, animating

verb

animated, animates, animating

To give life to; fill with life.

The belief that the soul animates the body.

American Heritage

To give life to; bring to life.

Webster's New World

To impart interest or zest to; enliven.

American Heritage

To make energetic or spirited.

Webster's New World

To fill with spirit, courage, or resolution.

American Heritage

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

adjective

Possessing life; living.

American Heritage

Living; having life, esp. animal life.

Webster's New World

Of or relating to animal life as distinct from plant life.

American Heritage

Lively; vigorous; spirited.

Webster's New World

Belonging to the class of nouns that stand for living things.

The word dog is animate; the word car is inanimate.

American Heritage

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Origin of Animate

From Latin animatus, past participle of animare (“to fill with breath, quicken, encourage, animate”), from anima (“breath”); see anima.

From Wiktionary
Latin animāre animāt- from anima soul anə- in Indo-European roots

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition