transitive verb animated -·mat′ed, animating -·mat′·ing

1. to give life to; bring to life
2. to make energetic or spirited
3. to stimulate to action or creative effort; inspire
4. to give motion to; put into action the breeze animated the leaves
5. to make move so as to seem lifelike to animate puppets
6. to produce as an animated cartoon to animate a fairy tale

Etymology: < L animatus, pp. of animare, to make alive, fill with breath < anima: see animal

adjective

1. living; having life, esp. animal life
2. lively; vigorous; spirited