animism

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(an′i miz′əm)

noun

  1. the doctrine that all life is produced by a spiritual force separate from matter
  2. the belief that all natural phenomena have souls independent of their physical being
  3. a belief in the existence of spirits, demons, etc.

Origin: Fr animisme & Ger animismus, both < L anima, soul: see animal & -ism

Related Forms:

See animism in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. The belief in the existence of individual spirits that inhabit natural objects and phenomena.
  2. The belief in the existence of spiritual beings that are separable or separate from bodies.
  3. The hypothesis holding that an immaterial force animates the universe.

Origin:

Origin: From Latin anima, soul; see anə- in Indo-European roots

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Related Forms:

  • anˈi·mist noun
  • anˌi·misˈtic adjective

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© 1996-2013 LoveToKnow, Corp. All Rights Reserved. Audio pronunciation provided by LoveToKnow, Corp.